Lab Tech or Specialist (Varying Levels)

The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, seeks candidates for Laboratory and Research Technician 2, Lab Specialist, Lab Specialist Intermediate, or Lab Specialist Senior to work in the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Sturek, MD, PhD. The Sturek Laboratory is an exciting NIH-funded group which focuses on translational pulmonary immunology and fibrosis, and is committed to training the next generation of scientists. The laboratory utilizes both human and patient samples to explore disease phenotypes and associations as well as murine and in vitro model systems to test novel biological mechanisms. Techniques of interest focus around high-dimensional immunophenotyping via mass cytometry and spectral flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and imaging mass cytometry, and RNA sequencing. Disease areas of interest are fibrotic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary graft-vs-host disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and respiratory infections. Candidates must be able to perform routine laboratory data analysis and procedures; independently prepare solutions and reagents; perform or learn to work with animal models and human derived cells; resolve problems and work accurately and with attention to detail. Must have ability to analyze and organize work procedures; plan and execute tasks or experiments; and interpret and report findings. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel is required. Additional expertise in statistical and data analysis software, database software, modeling software, and imaging and/or image analysis software is a plus.

Lastly but most importantly, this lab will consist of multiple trainees at all levels, from undergraduate to postdoctoral and clinical fellows, and so the ideal candidate will be similarly committed to training and working with these learners to advance their careers.

The successful candidate will:

• Execute molecular biology experiments and optimize and archive protocols for lab use; writes new and updates existing protocols.
  

• Responsible for coordination of assigned projects, including quality assurance, tracking supplies, preparing data reports, prioritizing time to meet deadlines, and maintaining detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks and other records.
  

• Place orders for lab general supplies and reagents when needed.
  

• Prepares reagents, solutions and buffers for use in procedures.
  

• Under the supervision of Dr. Sturek, establish new and modify existing research techniques and present research projects independently in the weekly lab meetings.
  

• Processes and handles both mouse and human lung samples.
  

• Assists with protocol revisions and protocol development, researching new techniques to accomplish a study objective. Provides solutions to technical issues that arise in the laboratory. Takes initiative during troubleshooting to research possible causes of an issue and schedules technical support, as necessary.
  

• Responsible for the organization, tracking, and maintenance of all freezers. Coordinates routine maintenance and repairs of all lab instruments and equipment’s.
  

• Trains new technicians on all laboratory protocols and procedures. Assists with supervision of technicians in the laboratory.
  

• All other duties as assigned.
  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Laboratory and Research Technician 2

Education: Associate's degree

Experience: At least 2 years of lab experience which may include student experience. Bachelor's degree in related science will be considered in lieu of experience.

Licensure: None.

Lab Specialist:
Education: Bachelor's degree.

Experience: 2 years of experience. 4 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.

Licensure: None.

Lab Specialist Intermediate:

Education: Bachelor's degree.
Experience: 4 years of experience. Master's degree may substitute for required experience. 8 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.

Lab Specialist Senior

Education: Bachelor's degree.
Experience: 6 years of experience. 10 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree or Master's degree plus 4 years lab-related experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.

This is a non-exempt and exempt level, benefited 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.

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

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA job board , and search for R0067864.

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs' and search for R0067864.

Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV
  
• Cover letter
  

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 Skill Survey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Michelle Johnson , Recruiter.

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 is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.