Senior Research Technician

About the Department The Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology at The University of Chicago is consistently ranked among the best specialty nationally by U.S News and World Report. With nearly 30 specialists on staff, the program plays a leading role in understanding digestive diseases and developing innovative treatments for patients. Since forming the nation's first full-time department of gastroenterology in 1927, our physicians have continually improved treatments for digestive tract and related disorders by combining medical research, education, and patient care at the highest level. Job Summary We are looking for a Senior Research Technician with a strong background in microbiology to join our interdisciplinary team. The role involves characterizing human gut microbiome metabolism, isolating gut microbial strains, building synthetic communities, and driving experimentation on patient and synthetic gut communities. Responsibilities Design and execute batch fermentation and bioreactor fermentation experiments. Design and implement culture and enrichment (culturomics) strategies to isolate human strains from fecal and small intestinal microbial community samples. Design, implement, and optimize bacterial community production processes, including maintaining pure cryo-stocks of human-derived anaerobic microbes and pathogens, reviving and scaling up cultures from cryo-stocks. Collaborate with staff scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students to design and assemble custom synthetic microbial communities for experimentation. Support scientific and research programs related to basic science and translational research about the human gut microbiome; analyze data, monitor and oversee experimental processes, and design and develop assays, specialized equipment, and/or systems. Supervise maintenance of cryo-stock database and quality control of cryo-stocks and communities. Perform and supervise quality assessment of stocks and communities through single colony isolation, 16S, and next generation sequencing techniques. Maintain documentation related to research studies and protocols. Modify, repair, and troubleshoot anaerobic microbiology culture equipment and experimental systems. Oversee the work of technicians and staff associated with the group/projects and provide guidance to technicians, operators, and others as needed. Liaise between researchers, students, technical staff, scientists, vendors, and other university staff; serve as a resource, providing training and practical guidance. Communicate progress or problems to PIs or managers routinely. Attend and contribute to discussions during lab meetings. Make contributions to lab management by ordering equipment and supplies, generating reagents, and ensuring lab compliance with safety and animal welfare regulations. Takes responsibility for recognizing abnormal results and varying conditions or procedures to correct problems; sets up and performs experiments. Analyze the meaning, significance, causes, and effects of the subject. Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: A college or university degree in a related field. Work Experience: 2-5 years of experience in a related laboratory discipline. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Microbiology strongly preferred. Experience overseeing a laboratory space or unit and supervising the work of technicians and other staff. Experience with bioreactor setups and batch culture. Experience with aseptic and microbiological techniques. Industry experience is a plus. Competencies Demonstrate knowledge and skills of advanced anaerobic techniques or microbiological principles and practices. Ability to adhere to protocol and thoroughly perform quality control measures. Practice rigorous scientific documentation and inventory management. Exceptional work ethic and self‑starter attitude with demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects. Effectively collaborate with senior engineering and scientific staff to design, develop, and implement custom protocols for strain growth and community construction. Ability to evaluate research/process capabilities and make recommendations. Ability to establish, communicate, and enforce compliance with health and safety policies and procedures. Ability to effectively supervise and train a diverse work staff. Ability to prioritize own work and multitask. Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to use project management tools. Ability to take initiative and ownership of research processes. Oral and written communication skills. Benefits Benefits eligible: Yes. Employees are eligible for health, retirement, paid time off, and other benefit programs. Pay Range U.S. dollars 60,000.00 – 80,000.00 Equal Opportunity The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. #J-18808-Ljbffr