Research Technician

Research Technician

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication's 2023 list. Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a temporary Research Technician for the Hart Lab within the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) to support human stem cell tissue culture growth and maintenance as part of several large, grant-funded projects focused on the genetics of Alzheimer's Disease, Alcohol Use Disorder, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Our work utilizes large repository collections of human cells with defined genetics and diagnoses, obtains or prepares induced pluripotent stem cells, expands these cultures, and converts them to neurons for functional analysis. We use single-cell RNA sequencing and chromatin accessibility assays to evaluate affected cellular pathways. The Research Technician position will support the work of existing technical staff in handling large numbers of stem cell lines for these projects. The candidate will receive training in culture methods for human stem cells, in cell assays, miscellaneous lab support tasks, and in biosafety level 2 and blood-borne pathogen/viral vectors regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will be willing to commit for at least a one-year period.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Stems cell culture, including regular feeding with sterile media, passaging cultures by dissociation, and harvesting of cultures by dissociation followed by automated cell counting.
• Assists with the preparation of growth media, assisting with viral infections to produce neurons, and feeding of human neuron cultures.
• Performs general lab tasks, including recombinant DNA techniques, transfection of cells, assay of cell functions, and preparation of solutions.
• Performs lab support tasks, including ordering of supplies, maintaining lab organization, and interfacing with web-based lab databases.

FLSA - Nonexempt

Salary Details - $40,000 - $50,000

Benefits - Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable) Life insurance coverage Employee discount programs

Position Status - Full Time

Working Hours - 40 hours per week

Daily Work Shift - Day

Work Arrangement - This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience - Bachelor's degree in biology, cell biology, neuroscience, psychology or a related scientific/technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant laboratory technician or research study experience carrying out research protocols and tests, or other technical work may be substituted for the degree.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Preferred Qualifications - Recent bachelor's-level college graduate with demonstrated lab experience.