Research Technician

Overview

The faculty in MBM are united by a common interest in the biology of microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) and the effects of microbes on human and animal hosts. The microbial pathogens program studies microorganisms that cause infectious diseases, with emphasis on rigorous analysis of these pathogens and the immune responses that restrict them. Program investigators direct detailed studies of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and eukaryotic parasites. Research topics include structural analysis of virus entry, viral evolution, viral oncogenes, intracellular bacterial pathogens, microorganisms that cause diarrhea and pneumonia, intracellular signaling, pathogen adhesion, genetic determinants involved in susceptibility to infection, vaccine development, and identification of novel antimicrobial agents.

What You'll Do

Under close supervision of the principal investigator, other lab members, and senior scientists in collaborating labs who are familiar with the techniques required, the Research Technician may conduct a variety of experiments using a variety of skills, which may include culturing bacterial and mammalian cells, making mesoscale and high-throughput measurements of treatment responses, quantitative analysis, performing medium-scale microscopy experiments, Python or Matlab programming, synthesizing information from the published literature, and use and development of machine learning algorithms. In these capacities, the Research Technician will also record test results and analyze data using statistics. High- and meso-throughout experiments are designed using custom software in the lab; after learning how to design experiments from others in the lab, the Research Technician should be able to design experiments using Python and Matlab. Part of the work must be carried out in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory facility. Work in the BSL-3 facility is essential to the work of the lab and includes but is not limited to experimentation with the pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis; BSL-3 work requires a high attention to detail, work under pressure, good decision making in the face of dynamic conditions, and laboratory work while wearing BSL-3 specific personal protective equipment. This project is highly collaborative, requiring good teamwork skills.

• Conduct routine experiments:
  • follow and design appropriate protocols/procedures to achieve results and test specific hypotheses.
  • perform techniques such as cell culturing, drug treatment response profiling, mesoscale analysis, performing medium-scale microscopy experiments, flow cytometry, and molecular biology procedures. 50%
• Record results and assist with data analysis, including mathematical modeling and/or machine learning:
  
  • keep accurate records of experiments and results
  • perform data interpretation/summarization including writing custom code and application of analysis algorithms
  • communicate findings to PI
  • interact scientifically with lab mates
  • analyze quantitative data, interpret results, and assist lab members in writing materials for publication and presentation 45%
• Help with laboratory operations (as all lab members do), including (but not limited to) assisting other lab members, ordering supplies and noting inventory, lab organization, and coordinating equipment repair 5%

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through BS degree in science or engineering with familiarity and some experience in laboratory (bench) or analytical (mathematical modeling) science

Preferred Qualifications:

• Under supervision of the Principal Investigator, other lab members, the Research Technician should have the following skills to conduct a variety of experiments. These may include:
• Culturing bacterial and mammalian cells
• Making mesoscale and high-throughput measurements
• Python or matlab programming and machine learning modeling
• Recording test results and analyze data using statistics
• Consistent attention to detail and excellent organizational and communication skills are critical.
• Knowledge of MS Office products, statistical/quantitative analysis and computation is necessary.
• Previous experience working with molecular biology and/or cell biology techniques are preferred.

Pay Range

Minimum $20.50, Midpoint $24.40, Maximum $28.30

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.