Research Technician

NYU Langone Health • New York, NY

8d

About The Position

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Research Technician with a primary focus on managing and operating a human-sample–based research laboratory. The successful candidate will be responsible for day-to-day lab operations and will work with a high degree of autonomy. This role requires solid expertise in handling, processing, and storing human tissue and blood samples; nucleic acid extraction; and basic molecular biology techniques. The Research Technician will also oversee biobank activities, ensure proper documentation, and sample tracking using REDCap and Labvantage, and support ongoing research projects through high-quality experimental work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's of Science Degree in Life Sciences or a related field with one year of experience.
• Advanced (beyond basic lab training will be accepted in lieu of experience as assessed by the hiring Principal Investigator).
• Effective oral and written communication skills required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a related field.
• At least one year of hands-on experience working with human biological samples (tissue and/or blood) in a research or clinical lab setting; advanced training or demonstrated competency in lieu of formal experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated proficiency in nucleic acid extraction from human samples, PCR, and qPCR.
• Experience with NGS library preparation and related quality control methods.
• Experience with biobanking workflows and sample tracking in a LIMS (preferably Labvantage) and data entry/management in REDCap.
• Prior experience serving in a lab management or lead technician role.
• Familiarity with IRB-regulated human subjects research and biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) practices.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently receive, log, and process human tissue and blood samples in accordance with IRB/ethical and biosafety guidelines.
• Perform routine and advanced processing of human samples, including separation of components (e.g., plasma, PBMCs, buffy coat) using centrifugation.
• Perform nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) extraction from human tissue and blood using manual and/or kit-based methods.
• Conduct quality control on extracted nucleic acids (e.g., concentration, purity, integrity) and maintain detailed records.
• Manage biobank inventories, including labeling, cataloging, and tracking samples in Labvantage or equivalent LIMS.
• Ensure proper long-term storage of samples (e.g., -80°C freezers, liquid nitrogen) and maintain sample chain-of-custody and traceability.
• Perform PCR and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR/RT-qPCR) assays, including primer preparation, reaction setup, and analysis of results.
• Perform library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS) following established protocols, including quality assessment of libraries.
• Assist in optimizing and troubleshooting nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, and library prep protocols specific to human samples.
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations, including ordering and inventory of reagents, consumables, and supplies.
• Coordinate the repair, calibration, and preventive maintenance of lab equipment (e.g., centrifuges, freezers, thermocyclers, qPCR instruments).
• Develop, update, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for human sample handling, nucleic acid workflows, and biobank management.
• Ensure compliance with institutional biosafety, IRB, and data security policies related to human samples and associated clinical data.
• Train and mentor junior staff, students, and visitors on lab procedures, safety practices, and data entry in REDCap and Labvantage.
• Accurately record sample metadata, processing steps, and experimental results in REDCap and Labvantage, ensuring data integrity and traceability.
• Maintain clear, organized lab notebooks and electronic records sufficient for reproducibility and audit.
• Assist with data export, quality checks, and basic analysis of experimental results as needed for project reporting and publications.
• Collaborate closely with investigators, clinicians, and study coordinators to ensure timely and accurate processing of incoming human samples.
• Communicate sample status, experimental progress, and any issues that arise to the PI and project team in a timely manner.
• Maintain confidentiality of all research data and patient-related information.
• Exercise sound judgment in troubleshooting experimental and operational problems and propose practical solutions.
• Recognize and escalate issues related to sample quality, protocol deviations, safety, or equipment failures to the appropriate personnel.
• Work independently within established protocols, seeking guidance for novel or complex situations.

Benefits

• At NYU Langone Health, we are committed to supporting our workforce and their loved ones with a comprehensive benefits and wellness package.
• Our offerings provide a robust support system for any stage of life, whether it's developing your career, starting a family, or saving for retirement.
• The support employees receive goes beyond a standard benefit offering, where employees have access to financial security benefits, a generous time-off program and employee resources groups for peer support.
• Additionally, all employees have access to our holistic employee wellness program, which focuses on seven key areas of well-being: physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, social, financial, and preventive care.
• The benefits and wellness package is designed to allow you to focus on what truly matters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees