Research Services Laboratory Sciences Entry Professional

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department:
Neurosurgery

Job Title:

Research Services Laboratory Entry Professional

Position #:  – Requisition #:39993

The Janiszewska Lab is seeking a full-time Professional Research Assistant. One of the major challenges contributing to poor survival of patients with brain tumors is the intratumor heterogeneity. Cancer cells with different properties, including different sensitivity to treatment, often co‑exist within a tumor, leading to relapse and disease progression. Our goal is to understand the dynamics of intratumor heterogeneity and its functional implications in disease progression in highly aggressive brain tumors.

We believe that understanding the interactions between sub‑clonal populations of cancer cells as well as interactions between cancer cells and cells of the tumor micro‑environment holds a key to uncovering more effective treatments for brain tumor patients. The lab employs a variety of techniques, including confocal microscopy, spatial transcriptomics and in‑vitro and in‑vivo models to study brain tumor cell‑cell interactions and the organization of the cancer ecosystem.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to research aiming to improve the dismal prognosis for brain tumor patients.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

• 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 and tabulate and analyze research
• Support the 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 processes and evaluate 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 researching issues and developing recommendations to resolve process, unit, and related issues
• Review and implement lab support policies, practices and programs to meet organizational, operations and management needs
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; receive guidance and direction or elevate when required

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics or related field
• Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

• Student internship or post‑graduate work in a research laboratory setting
• Experience in cancer research field, especially brain tumors
• Experience in genomics (next‑generation sequencing, RNA sequencing), wet lab or computational
• Experience in handling human tissue or microscopy
• Participation in research projects involving cell culture and molecular techniques (RNA/DNA extraction, PCR, Western blotting)

• Standard laboratory techniques (immunofluorescent staining, tissue handling, cell culture etc.)
• Ability to take direction, work independently, maintain detailed records of experiments, a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn new techniques, good communication and organization skills

The starting salary range for this position has been established as $47,811 - $64,067. This position may be eligible for overtime…