Research Technician

Research Technician

The Section of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Medicine has a long-standing tradition of excellence in research-based patient care, scientific and clinical discovery, and outstanding education of trainees at various career stages. Consistently ranked as one of the top cancer programs in the country, the Section includes nationally and internationally recognized faculty with expertise in all major types of malignancies, blood disorders, and experimental therapeutics.

Within the Section, the Rojek lab investigates how immune cell-based therapies can be used to treat cancers, and how challenges to their efficacy can be overcome. With a focus on CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma and melanoma TIL therapy, our work has a translational focus of understanding how memory-like T cells contribute to long-lasting anti-cancer efficacy, and how immunology principles can be leveraged to improve these therapies and translate them to early phase clinical trials at the University of Chicago. We use immunology-based approaches to understand translational questions in these adoptive cell therapies, translational patient samples, as well as mouse models and multi-omic approaches to understand the immune landscape of these therapies.

The Research Technician will be involved in a cutting-edge cancer research program that uses techniques related to cancer immunology, molecular and cellular biology, with the opportunity for some work in bioinformatics. They will be involved in projects that use mouse and cell culture-based model systems, and will provide support for all aspects of research in the Rojek laboratory. The day-to-day work will involve molecular cloning, tissue culture, animal care and procedures, sample processing and analysis, in close collaboration with a team of dedicated colleagues. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated fast learner who has a strong work ethic, excellent organizational skills, some research experience, and willingness to master new techniques.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision, performs moderately complex lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design, and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Cell culture, including adherent and suspension cells, transfections, transductions, and gene editing.
• Assists with molecular and cellular biology techniques, including cloning, DNA/RNA/protein isolation, PCR, qRT-PCR, next-generation sequencing (DNA/RNA/ATAC-seq), reporter gene assays, Western blot, immunostaining, microscopy, flow cytometry (after appropriate training by the PI or other senior staff).
• Assists in maintaining mouse colony, including general husbandry, and mouse procedures (injections, treatments, imaging, tissue collection, and/or surgeries after appropriate training by the PI or other senior staff).
• Assists with general lab duties, including ordering and maintaining equipment and supplies.
• Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Previous research experience.
• Experience in molecular biology, cell culture, computational analysis and/or in vivo experiments in mouse models is a plus.

Preferred Competencies

• Organized, task-oriented, good record keeper.
• Basic knowledge of research techniques and methods.
• Excellent organizational skills, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with little direct oversight and within a larger research team.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities.
• Basic office/lab software skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel, and Power Point.

Working Conditions

• May include occasional late evenings for patient sample processing, while remaining within weekly work hours (eg. starting later in the day to offset a scheduled evening as needed).

Application Documents

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

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family: Research

Role Impact: Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Pay Rate Type: Salary

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Range: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible: Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

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.

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All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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