Laboratory Technician

Summary

Lab Technicians perform a variety of routine, technical, and administrative responsibilities in support of research at the university. This position would maintain a sterile environment for the passage of tumor cells in culture. Maintain multiple tumor cell lines in passage. Assess response to drugs and radiation in tumor cells in culture. Perform the following assays for growth inhibition and/or cell death: MTT assay; time course viability assays; apoptosis by PI/annexin staining using flow cytometry; apoptosis based on caspase 3 expression by Western blotting; senescence by beta galactosidase staining (microscopy); senescence by PCR; senescence by C12FDG staining and flow cytometry; autophagy by acridine orange staining and microscopy; autophagy by Western blotting of markers such p62/SQSTM1 and LC3; training to learn gene silencing using shRNA.
Learn animal maintenance and techniques for implantation of tumor cells, monitoring of tumor growth by caliper measurements and IVIS instrumentation; learn gavage and drug injection techniques. Learn animal anesthesia and sacrifice and harvesting and analysis of tumor cells.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry or related area. High degree of reliability and integrity. Appropriate interpersonal skills for working with a diverse population of MS and PhD students. Willingness to be trained by more experienced personnel (generally students). Ability to work in a diverse environment required.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Preferably 1 year prior experience working in a research laboratory. Commitment to remain in the technician position for at least 2 years.