Research Lab Technician I/II, Cancer Biology

Overview

JOB SUMMARY

Dr. Ming's lab in the Cancer Biology Department at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine is looking for a Research Lab Technician I or II (depending upon experience). Under direct supervision from a higher level technician or a principal investigator, the research lab tech I assists in the performance of a variety of standardized physical, chemical, or biological tests.  Procedures and techniques are outlined in detail with the employee exercising limited discretion and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. A research lab tech II performs a variety of moderately complex and generally standardized physical, chemical, or biological tests with procedures and techniques previously outlined by established protocols and other scientific data.  Provides direction and guidance to lab staff.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Research Lab Tech I:  Associate's degree in Biotechnology or related scientific field of study; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Research Lab Tech II:  Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, or other related science, or high school diploma with four years of related clinical/research experience.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to listen and communicate effectively
• Basic computer skills
• Knowledge of medical terminology to interact with medical staff regarding laboratory procedures and results
• Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments
• Knowledge of common safety hazards and universal precautions to establish a safe work environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Conducts standardized chemical and physical tests on experimental or clinical materials/specimens.
2. Operates a balance and other standard laboratory equipment for mixing, weighing, and preparing specimens for clinical/experimental analysis.
3. Makes minor adjustments to correctly calibrate various types of physical testing and electronic equipment.
4. Assists higher-level technicians in making microanalysis, tepids analysis, enzyme studies, radioactive studies, and chromatographic studies on various types of tissues, secretions, and excretions.
5. Assists with experiments using animals by restraining them for inoculation and anesthetization; performs routine handling and treatment; sets up monitoring equipment.
6. Feeds animals in accordance with prescribed simple diets.
7. Cleans and sterilizes delicate glassware and equipment and maintains premises in sanitary condition.
8. Sets up equipment and organizes materials used in performing scheduled tests, experiments, and/or operations.
9. Selects the appropriate experimental/clinical format from established standard formats and prepares simple charts, graphs, and reports from data obtained during research experiments and observations of research subjects.
10. Isolates and identifies various microorganisms through established laboratory techniques.
11. Trains and demonstrates to graduate students, medical students, and other technical personnel, a variety of technical procedures.
12. Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Research laboratory environment
• Frequent exposure to diseases, medicinal preparations and other conditions common in a lab environment
• Must wear protective equipment (gloves, gowns/lab coats, eye protection, face protection)
• Exposure to glass and other breakable objects
• Exposure to animals