Technical Associate

Opening
Full Time 40 hours Grade 051 Urology M&D
Responsibilities
GENERAL PURPOSE:
The position will provide technical support for experiments performed in Dr. Tabayoyong's Tumor Immunology Laboratory. Projects in the lab focus on understanding predictive biomarkers and mechanisms of resistance to solid tumor immunotherapy. Major histologies studied include bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer. The PI is a surgeon scientist in the Department of Urology. The Technician should be expected to work independently, organize and troubleshoot experiments, and integrate different experimental approaches to address scientific aims. The Technician must be able to work in a collaborative lab environment internal and external to the Department of Urology.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Immunobiology Techniques: Isolate blood cell fractions using density centrifugation, analyze cells by flow cytometry, CyTOF and immuno-cytochemistry.
• Molecular Biology Techniques: Develop, implement, and troubleshoot experiments utilizing molecular biology techniques, including isolation of RNA and DNA, PCR, RT_PCR, and qPCR.
• Cell biology Techniques: Culture immortalized cell lines and isolated human blood cells using basic cell culture techniques. Co-culture autologous human t-cells and tumor targets.
• General research/analysis: Analyze data, provide written summaries of data for grants and publications; develop figures for grants and publications. Use software applications to generate test reports; present results including results of literature reviews to supervisor and PI and at lab meetings with the research team. Prepare figures and tables for grant applications or to present data. Critically appraises research methodology and identifies issues or potential for issues and makes recommendations to PI and Supervisor for resolutions. Prepares basic statistical testing including graph generation. Assists with budget preparation.
• General Lab duties: Prepare general buffers and media. Oversee maintenance, management, and/or repair of equipment. Independent management of the laboratory's chemical inventory. Monitor and coordinates ordering of lab inventories ensuring orders for equipment and supplies as properly processed. Train individuals in the appropriate use of equipment. Has the ability to make decisions on purchases of supplies and all equipment. Will perform in depth comparative research to obtain the best product at the best price and provide informed recommendations to the PI and Supervisor for decision making. Meets with vendors to review equipment/laboratory needs. Responsible for orderly appearance of the laboratory. Attends weekly laboratory meetings and relevant seminars pertinent to the research goals of the laboratory. Meets with PI on a regular basis to discuss research findings and make recommendations regarding future directions.
• Training and compliance duties: Train, supervise new lab personnel and students; direct and assist laboratory personnel, undergraduate and graduate students and technicians in the laboratory in terms of execution and troubleshooting of their experimental work including research compliance around animal care and routine research techniques. Monitor quality of day-to-day work of these individuals. With supervisor, involved in interviewing and hiring decisions; evaluating performance and resolving performance issues.Provide instruction to other laboratory personnel in BSL2 procedures and general laboratory research techniques. Orients new and collaborating laboratory personnel to laboratory-related procedures.
• Monitors and ensures training and compliance with Environmental Health and Safety - Occupational Safety Unit, Safety Training for Research Laboratory Personnel requirements specific to laboratory for all laboratory personnel. Ensures that health and safety practices are maintained in accordance with University policy and the law. Records laboratory and other training as required. Establish and troubleshoot new laboratory protocols evaluating effectiveness and modifying based on analyses. Contribute to and manage RSRB, UCAR and IBC protocols.
• Oversees regulatory issues including biosafety, environmental health and radiation usage. Responsible to implement changes, respond to issues related to but not limited to laboratory inspections conducted by Fire Marshal and Environmental Health and Safety.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 1 year of experience in the field

Preferred:

• Knowledge of general laboratory safety processes, universal precautions, aseptic cell culture technique, handling of mice and practice of rodent euthanasia required. Thorough documentation of results in written and electronic database formats will be required. Skills in basic database management and generation of publication-quality figures preferred. Needs to be proficient in anesthetic techniques.
• Advanced computer skills including MS Word and Excel, required. Experience using flow cytometry software, statistical software packages such as Prism.

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How To Apply
All applicants must apply online.
EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled
Pay Range
Pay Range: $37,000 - $64,100 Annually
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.