Research Technician

Research Technician

The Pickrell laboratory in junction with Morton laboratory in the School of Neuroscience at Virginia Tech is looking for one responsible and well-organized laboratory technician who can independently oversee research activities within the laboratories as well as assist group members with their projects. Additional responsibilities include the maintenance of laboratory stocks, databases and inventory of laboratory supplies as well as the general organization of the laboratory. Our laboratories focus on environmental exposures that cause neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases. We use mouse models to address these questions. We combine a range of approaches, including genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, confocal imaging, and behavioral analyses. The candidate will have the opportunity to author or co-author publications, and depending on their background and experience, craft their own related research projects. Training and guidance and will be provided for those aspects of the job in which the candidate is lacking sufficient expertise.

Required Qualifications

• BS degree in biology, molecular biology, neuroscience or a related field
• At least 1 year of hands-on experience in molecular biology (including DNA and RNA handling); ability to independently perform PCR and qPCR
• Ability to manage time, organize data and keep accurate lab records
• Ability to efficiently use computer software
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Good communication skills
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for science
• Willingness to work with mice to organize and maintain mouse colony

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous laboratory experience in a biomedical research laboratory
• Experience and knowledge about cell and molecular biology and neuroscience
• Fundamental understanding of standard laboratory equipment ranging from centrifuges to PCR
• Experience with confocal microscopy and analyses are a plus

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$42,000–$46,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Hours per week

40

Review Date

7/29/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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