Research Lab Technician II, Microbiology and Immunology

Overview

FUNCTION OF JOB
 
Under general supervision from a principal investigator, higher level technician, or postdoctoral fellow, the Research Lab Technician II performs a variety of moderately complex and generally standardized physical, chemical, or biological tests with procedures and techniques previously outlined by established protocols.  Assists with animal work as directed. Provides direction and guidance to lower classified personnel.

CHARACTERISTIC WORK

1. Assist PI and higher-level technician in maintaining and organizing the lab, performing duties including, but not limited to: washing and restocking lab ware, routinely monitoring stock/supply quantities and restocking and reordering, maintaining water baths and incubators, assisting with waste disposal, performing general lab maintenance (including returning supplies to animal facilities; autoclaving instruments, plastics, and waste; preparing buffers, and filling water carboys). 
2. Conduct generally standardized chemical, physical, and biological tests on experimental materials following established laboratory procedures and protocols. This includes but is not limited to ELISAs, ELISPOTS, flow cytometry, PCR, agarose and SDS page gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, protein production and purification, and bacterial culture. 
3. Monitor the care and health of research animals; mouse colony husbandry (oversee breeding and weaning of mice), handle live mice and perform injections and inoculations, take blood samples and other specimens and measurements as required by research protocols.
4. Setup equipment and organize materials used in experiments and/or operations as directed by the PI or higher-level technician. 
5. Analyze data and prepare simple graphs and reports from data obtained during research experiments. 
6. When directed to, train and demonstrate techniques and procedures to graduate students, medical students, and other technical personnel.
7. Keep a detailed notebook describing experiments that enable repetition by other individuals using a format approved by the PI.
8. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

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

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