Laboratory Sciences Professional Intermediate or Senior

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department:
Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Disease

Job Title:

Laboratory Sciences Professional (Open Rank, Intermediate or Senior)

Position #:  – Requisition #: 38444

Laboratory Sciences Professionals perform duties in an experimental lab, or wet lab, and handle a variety of chemicals and/or potential "wet" hazards. They work in laboratories where chemicals, drugs, or other materials or biological matters are tested and analyzed.

This laboratory focuses on immune responses to infectious agents and vaccines in individuals of different ages and immune status. The employee will be primarily involved in translational research that investigates the effects of HIV infection in pregnant and postpartum women on their infants.

Current projects include molecular testing of breast milk for HIV nucleic acid; dissection of human placental tissue for isolation of primary cells, cytokine assays, and preparation for spatial transcriptomics; and development of 3D models of the maternal-fetal barrier using cell lines and primary placental and fetal cells.

Essential functions include performing a variety of immunological and molecular assays, which require sterile laboratory technique and must be carried out in biosafety cabinets. Specifically, the professional will perform mammalian tissue dissection, cell culture and in vitro viral infection, ELISA and other antibody and cytokine assays; PCR and other molecular assays, immunostaining, ELISPOT, proliferation assays, and flow cytometry.

The work will involve human specimens and require working with blood‑borne pathogens.

Specimen processing must be completed in accordance with specific timelines. Accordingly, a rotating on‑call schedule is required for after‑hours/weekend specimen processing.

• Collaborate with and support Principal Investigators (PI) and other stakeholders with laboratory and research functions
• Utilize a variety of laboratory techniques required for research projects
• Perform experiments, tabulate, and analyze research
• Support analytical testing process using standard lab support knowledge in the collection and review of conditions, including preserving samples, completing sample preparation, documenting, and communicating results
• Perform pre‑analytical, analytical, and post‑analytical test process and evaluate the results produced
• Prepare lab for daily operations, including stocking materials, equipment, safety, cleanliness, and related areas
• Provide animal care related to research studies, as necessary
• Pick up, transport, and maintain results, samples, documents, materials, and other items as needed
• Dispose of laboratory materials and samples using well‑established guidelines and instructions
• Review, complete, and process logs, documents, databases, and related materials and information
• Provide support in researching issues and developing recommendations to resolve process, unit, and related issues
• Assist in the review and implementation of lab support policies, practices, and programs to meet organizational, operational, and management needs
• Assist with ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; receive guidance and direction or elevate when required
• Independently and creatively identify laboratory solutions
• Independently review, develop, and implement new or modified laboratory techniques required for research projects
• Assist Team Leads, Supervisors, and/or management with the creation and implementation of processes and procedures and quality improvement initiatives
• Assist and train junior team members

• Assist with developing protocol‑specific systems and documents, including process flows, training manuals, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Maintains subject‑level documentation and prepares documents, equipment, and/or supplies
• Assist with identifying issues related to operational efficiency and share results with leadership
• Provide laboratory science expertise and leadership in study design, study oversight, data management, data analysis, and manuscript preparation to assist all…