Laboratory Technician IV (S)

Responsibilities

Position Summary:

This position requires active participation in research laboratory activities. The experienced laboratory technician will provide technical support for the execution and interpretation of experiments performed in the Gigliotti-Wright Laboratory in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. This individual will participate in basic science laboratory procedures including routine experiments using mouse models of infection to study Pneumocystis carinii. Research will require experience with differential staining, microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, cloning techniques, tissue culture procedures, enzyme linked immunoassays, and fluorescent antibody detection. The mode of research in the laboratory includes cell culture, cytometry, western blot analysis and serologic methodology. Research in the laboratory is conducted using in vivo, small animal models as well as in vitro cell culture models. Ability to handle mice, perform pulmonary lung function and small animal surgical procedures required. Assisting with laboratory and equipment maintenance, ordering supplies and adherence to regulatory requirements is required. Strong organizational skills are essential including, but not limited to, creating and maintaining detailed laboratory notes and accurate and timely database entry. The technician will be expected to conduct experiments independently as well as present and interpret experimental results.

Responsibilities:

• Perform complex studies in rodents and primary cells using technical independence and guidance from the PIs and Research Laboratory Procedures

• Routine maintenance, treatment, euthanasia, dissection, and tissue preparation of rodents.

• Maintain animal colonies and perform genotyping to confirm strains

• Propagate, maintain and assist in Pneumocystis carinii colony

• Propagate and assist in animal models of Pc Infection according to Standard Operating Procedures in the lab

• Perform and modify experiments and protocols independently. These include but are not limited to flow cytometry, tissue culture based assays, tissue staining (hematoxylin & eosin, trichrome), western blot analyses, polymerase chain reaction protocols, blood separation, ELISA protocols, RT-PCR, ELISA, cell culture, histology, microscopy, light fluorescence.

• Collaborate with the PI on the design, implementation, and modification of inhalation exposure systems for small animals and in vitro co-culture systems.

• Maintain equipment and laboratory momentum in absence of Sr. Tech and/or Principal Investigators.

• Label, aliquot, and freeze specimens per study protocols for testing and storage

• Column chromatography of various types (affinity, sizing)

• Cell staining and counting for flow cytometry experiments

• Routine cleaning of instrumentation and work area per protocol

• Maintain and analyze hybridoma cells in tissue culture

• Clean and maintain instruments per manufacture’s recommendations

• Perform complex analyses on cultured primary cells

• Culture and maintain primary rodent and human airway epithelial cells with fibroblasts.

• Use flow cytometry and cell sorting to acquire specific populations of airway progenitor cells before and after in vitro inhalation exposures.

• Prepare protein/DNA/RNA for downstream analyses.

• Data Interpretation and Analyzes

• Analyze and interpret data acquired during experiments and literature reviews

• Disseminate results to PI and/or weekly laboratory meetings internal and external to Department.

• Daily data entry into numerous databases

• Maintenance of shared protocols

• Contributes Drafts of Protocols, Papers, and Presentations

• Independently drafts and edits sections of manuscripts dealing with methodology for publication, posters and presentations for dissemination at local, regional and national meetings.

• Draft and modify standardized operating procedures based on results of complex experiments.

• Establish and troubleshoot new laboratory protocols evaluating effectiveness and modifying based on analyses.

• Laboratory Management

• Participate in team meetings and conference calls

• Adhere to regulatory policies

• Maintain certifications and training, and troubleshooting workflow problems.

• Clean and disinfect work station.

• Organize work stations with the necessary supplies, including assembling any necessary plastic ware

• Restocking of work station supplies.

• Help to train and assist laboratory personnel, potentially in research lab procedures, data entry and checking, and stock supplies.

Qualifications:

AAS degree in appropriate discipline plus 4-5 years specialized experience in related field’ or equivalent combination of education and experience. BS in related field of study with 2-3 years’ experience preferred. Prefer experience in discipline with 2 to 4 years specialized experience in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Prefer BS/BA in biological/physical science or equivalent experience. Advanced education and experience is valued. A minimum of 1-year experience in laboratory science desired. Individuals with experience in handling biospecimens and/or cytometry are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of University policy and procedures is desirable.

Candidate should be highly organized and detail/documentation oriented. A high degree of competence in basic compute applications (word processing, spreadsheet, etc.) is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication are essential. Selected applicant will be required to take numerous U of R certification courses and keep current in the field through pertinent seminars and literature. Knowledge of general laboratory safety processes, universal precautions, flow cytometry, aspectice cell culture, PCR, ELISA, and animal maintenance/treatment/handling/tissue preparation. Additional skills may be required and training provided as needed, including but not limited to inhalation exposures and flow cytometry. Thorough documentation of results in written and electronic database formats will be required. Advanced computer skills including MS Word and Excel is required . Skills in basic database management are preferred. Applicants are not expected to have mastery of all of these skills and will receive further training in the position.

Demonstrates skill in communication both verbally and in writing with Principal Investigators and other members of the laboratory team including communicating effectively with laboratories internal and external to the department. Demonstrate efficiency in prioritizing assignments, skilled in proactively resolving problems, and recommending and implementing continuous quality improvements. Must possess good knowledge of Microsoft office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GraphPad and Sigma Plot) and ability to perform data entry into various databases. Prior experience with cellular biology methods and experience in handling bio-specimens is required. Animal handling skills (specifically with rodents) is required including ability to monitor health of specimens and euthanize.

Demonstrates competence in the technical skills as detailed by the job description. Demonstrates high level of attention to detail. Must be able to work independently, and as part of a team, using sound judgment according to University standards for good laboratory and clinical research practices without direction in the day-to-day operations of the laboratory. Must be able to maintain detailed records. The Technician will meet with Principal Investigators once weekly for 1-2 hours to discuss results of experiments, present plans for experiments, make recommendations about new experiments, and discuss lab management issues.

Maintains all relevant animal training for mice per University protocols and guidelines.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.

How To Apply

All applicants must apply online.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

Pay Range

Pay Range: $ 18.89 - $ 26.44 Hourly

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Location: School of Medicine & Dentistry
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Opening: Full Time 40 hours Grade 079 Pediatrics M&D Inf Diseases
Schedule: 8:30 AM-5 PM