Temporary, Part-Time Research Technician: Department of Biomedical Engineering - UTK

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the Research Technician supports an Additional-Venture funded project, multidisciplinary research program investigating pulmonary artery (PA) hemodynamics and endothelial dysfunction in pediatric Fontan patients. The position performs human iPSC-derived endothelial cell (EC) culture and mass spectrometry-based lipidomic and glycomic analyses to identify the hemodynamic and molecular drivers of Fontan failure. The Research Technician works closely with clinical, engineering, and analytical co-investigators to ensure rigorous and reproducible execution of the study's aims, and helps maintain laboratory operations, data management, and regulatory compliance (IRB, biosafety).

Responsibilities

• Set-up new lab space in Zeanah 415 . Order necessary supplies and reagents. Replicate cell culture experiments from previous work in new lab space.
• Mock circulatory flow loop and cell culture experiments (Aim 2.1):
  • Fabricate silicone Fontan total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) models via 3D printing and casting;
  • construct, operate, and troubleshoot the Arduino-controlled mock circulatory flow loop (MCFL) to reproduce patient-specific pulsatile flow conditions;
  • functionalize silicone models and seed them with single-ventricle patient iPSC-derived endothelial cells; maintain sterile, long-term perfusion cell culture and collect media/cell samples at defined time points under control and Fontan hemodynamic conditions.
• Biomolecular and mass spectrometry analyses (Aims 2.1-2.3):
  • Prepare EC and blood samples for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) and MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), including gelatin embedding, cryosectioning, and matrix application for lipid and N-glycan imaging;
  • perform Griess assay, ELISA, and Bio-Plex cytokine panel assays to quantify nitric oxide metabolites, endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, and inflammatory cytokines in culture media and patient blood samples.
• Data management, analysis, and regulatory compliance:
  • Enter patient demographic and clinical data into REDCap under approved IRB protocols;
  • handle and process human blood/tissue samples in accordance with IRB and biosafety requirements;
  • perform statistical analyses (ANOVA, t-tests, PCA, mixed-effects models) using MATLAB and JMP;
  • maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, SOPs, and datasets in support of publications and progress reports.
• Laboratory operations and collaboration:
  • Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment (mass spectrometers, flow loop pumps/sensors, incubators, microscopes);
  • order and manage laboratory supplies and reagents; coordinate sample and data transfer with collaborating clinical sites (Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital);
  • assist with training of students and junior lab personnel.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Education : Bachelor's degree in Biomedical/Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry, or a related life-sciences/engineering field
• Experience :
  • At least 1 year of laboratory research experience in a biomedical, bioengineering, or life-sciences setting, including hands-on experience with basic wet-lab techniques (e.g., cell culture, sample preparation, or analytical instrumentation).
  • Relevant undergraduate research or internship experience may substitute for professional experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of basic cardiovascular physiology and fluid dynamics principles relevant to Fontan circulation.
  • Skill in aseptic cell culture technique, including handling and maintaining human iPSC-derived endothelial cells.
  • Skill in operating and troubleshooting analytical instrumentation such as LCMS and MALDI mass spectrometers.
  • Ability to perform precise laboratory techniques including pipetting, tissue/cell sectioning, and immunolabeling.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret quantitative data using statistical software (e.g., MATLAB, JMP).
  • Ability to maintain accurate, detailed laboratory records and comply with IRB, biosafety, and data-security protocols.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education : Master's degree in Biomedical/Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry, or a related life-sciences/engineering field
• Experience : Experience with mass spectrometry-based analytical techniques (LCMS/MALDI), human iPSC-derived cell culture, or cardiovascular/vascular biology research.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of vascular biology, endothelial cell signaling, and glycocalyx function.
  • Skill in 3D printing and silicone molding/casting fabrication techniques.
  • Skill in image analysis software (e.g., ImageJ/OrientationJ) for cell alignment and morphology quantification.
  • Ability to program in MATLAB or Python for data processing, statistical analysis, and visualization.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Assignment

• Anticipated hiring range: $20-$25/hour
• Length of assignment: up to 6 months
• Hours: 28 hours per week

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

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