Research at The University of Chicago, Illinois

Gynecologic Cancer Lab Technician

The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant funds ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises over 190 faculty members from twenty departments, with members currently being awarded over $47 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $28 million in non-peer-reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, communications, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management, and community outreach. UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area, with nearly 500 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC's commitment to translating basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early-phase studies. UCCCC opens over 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.

As a lab technician, you will work on a variety of tasks in our gynecologic cancer lab. The work encompasses cell culture, genomics, metabolomics, and molecular biology, utilizing animal models, established cancer cell lines, and human specimens. You will work in a dynamic and growing environment as part of the gynecologic cancer group of researchers on the 10th floor of the Knapp Center for Biological Discovery, with the best views of Lake Michigan on campus. The 10th-floor lab environment features monthly socials that allow technicians and researchers from other labs to meet and connect. This is an opportunity for you to join a leading gynecological cancer research team that is making strides in the fight against cancer. This role also presents an opportunity to utilize your existing knowledge and expand your skills. You will also be expected to perform data analysis and generate reports, as well as perform general lab duties related to equipment maintenance and materials inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment, performing basic laboratory techniques and analysis under direction.
• Acquires and maintains competency in routine techniques, including but not limited to, Western blotting, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence.
• Assists with laboratory operations, including ordering and maintaining equipment and supplies.
• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision.
• Collects and enters data. Assists in the analysis of data and in the preparation of reports, manuscripts, and other documents.
• Complies with institution, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Provides technical and administrative support for a research project.
• Collects and enters data. Assists in analyzing data. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Assists with the installation, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
• May assist recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Is developing skills in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, or other related fields.
• Experience: Previous experience in a laboratory setting.
• At least two years of experience in performing cell cultures.
• Mouse handling, tissue harvest, and analysis.
• Performing and analyzing functional assays such as cell culture, Western blotting, qPCR, or immunofluorescence.
• Performing and analyzing molecular biology assays.

Technical Skills or Knowledge

• Strong data management skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Suite, including Outlook.
• Understand complex documents, such as clinical trials.

Preferred Competencies

• Interact and communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy with patrons, patients, staff, faculty, students, and others.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Handle competing demands with diplomacy and enthusiasm.
• Absorb large amounts of information quickly.
• Adaptability to changing working situations and work assignments.

Working Conditions

• Navigate the UChicago campus.
• Some weekend hours.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)