Lab Technician 1 - Dept. of Human and Molecular Genetics

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Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

The Department of Human and Molecular Genetics is in search of a Lab Technician to join Dr. Landry's lab.

Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

This position exists to provide support in lab research (molecular biology techniques and cell culture work) to the principle investigator and several graduate students and to maintain laboratory supplies and equipment. Specific projects such as: 1) Studying the role of MDA9 scaffold and signaling protein in breast cancer progression, sensitivity to chemotherapies, and antitumor immune response; 2) Studying epigenetic mechanisms on how cancer cells recover from from chemotherapy exposure; and 3.) further developing humanized mouse models. Project assignments will change as priorities of the laboratory change.

Day-to-day duties will include general lab maintenance including – ordering supplies, stocking shelves, cleaning glassware, autoclaving biohazard waste, cleaning the lab as needed. Experimental duties include molecular biology techniques including qPCR, Western blotting, cell culture assays, colony counting, etc…Analysis of data including the data entry into excel and similar programs, and simple data organization and formatting. Maintenance of a detailed and clear lab notebook.

Required Qualifications:

• Detailed oriented, highly organized, good math skills, some prior lab experience required
• Good organizational skills necessary
• Previous laboratory experience in basic cell and molecular biology and biochemical techniques is essential
• Good lab notebook documentation required
• Must interact well with colleagues
• Minimal computer skills necessary
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in past experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications: 

• BS degree in relevant area (life sciences, chemistry, or other science) or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred
• Previous experience in cell culture models and approaches desirable for Project success
• It is desired that the candidate will be able to perform standard molecular biology techniques such as RNA and DNA isolation, qPCR, Western blots
• It is desirable that the candidate will be able to troubleshoot problems and have the ability to interpret data

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

University Job Code: 34051

ORP Eligible: No

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

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