Lab Specialist - Flowers Lab

The Flowers Lab (flowerslab.org) is focused on understanding the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, and using this knowledge for the effective diagnosis and treatment of AD. One of the main focuses of the Flowers lab is understanding the impact of the glycoprotein, APOE, on the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). APOE is the most significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, despite this, there is a lot we do not understand about how APOE conveys this risk. We use human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and advanced technologies including mass spectrometry to better understand the changes that occur in AD. We are searching for a new lab member to aid us with this important work.

This individual will be responsible for and help facilitate research related to understanding the significance of APOE and post-translational modifications including glycosylation to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. They will be responsible for the culturing and differentiation of iPSCs into a range of cell types as well as carrying out cell, biochemical and molecular biology assays. They will prepare samples for mass spectrometric analyses and work with a range of patient and iPSC-derived samples. The candidate will work with other members of the group invested in this project to maintain cells, carry out experiments, analyzing data, as well documenting and reporting on results to the group. They may need to assist other lab members with our animal colony. A smaller part of this role will involve routine but important lab maintenance and administration tasks.

The individual hired for this position will work closely with Dr. Flowers, Dr. Fernandez and other lab members. They will attend lab meetings weekly and project meetings weekly or more often as necessary. They will be trained and receive guidance on a day-to-day basis to facilitate the goals of the project and ensure their training. The individual hired is expected to interact professionally and collegially with all lab members including graduate and undergraduate students, treating all lab members with respect and consideration. The hired individual can expect to work in a friendly, respectful, open and supportive environment focused on doing good science. There will be many opportunities to learn a range of lab skills.

This position is a full-time, on-campus position. The individual will be required to follow all safety guidelines set out by the lab and the University.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in a science or science related field. 4 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.
  
• At least 2 years of research lab experience which may include student experience.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• The successful candidate should possess excellent attention to detail and strong problem solving and record-keeping skills.
  
• They will be a clear and open communicator and be motivated to learn new laboratory skills and contribute to the goals of the lab.
  
• They will be careful in the lab with their own work and the work of others. Knowledge of basic cell biology and biochemistry is required.
  
• Experience with cell culture would be preferred particularly if experience is in culturing without antibiotics or with iPSCs.
  
• Any experience with biochemical or cell-based assays, mass spectrometry and molecular biology techniques such as PCR would also be an advantage.
  
• Any previous experience in neuroscience, Alzheimer’s disease or APOE research would be highly advantageous.
  

Physical Demands

This position can spend long periods of time standing while conducting experiments. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.

The position will remain open until filled. This is a non-exempt, benefitted position.

For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits . This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position.

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA job board , and search for R0071973. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• Cover letter
  
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
  

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, Recruiter, at jf2sw @virginia.edu .

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physicians Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experience. We are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.