Research Technician, Herman B Wells Center Pediatric Research

PED-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH SCI (IN-PTRS-IUINA)

The Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (The Wells Center) conducts basic science and translational research within the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine (IUSM). The Wells Center houses more than 300 faculty investigators, staff, and trainees seeking answers to the most pressing questions related to childhood illness.

With the collaboration between scientists and physicians, the center aims to increase knowledge of causes and mechanisms of serious pediatric diseases. Our goal is to develop innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of sick children in Indiana and beyond.

The Pediatric Translational Research Program is seeking a research technician to help support laboratory experiments and research studies, ranging from Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and genotyping to western blots and primary cell cultures.

• Conducts cell cultures for the core, including expansion, passaging, and freezing back of research and clinical primary cell lines; grows cells on transwell filters for differentiation and ciliation.
• Performs organization and maintenance of cell lines in cryostorage; mixes media for general lab use.
• Prepares clinical brushes, including cell harvesting, plating, and expansion.
• Performs immunofluorescent staining.
• Performs basic laboratory assays for Gaston Lab projects and assists junior faculty, including Pierce bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) protein assays.
• Performs Western blotting using Protein Simple JESS and ABBY instrumentation, and analyzes results in Compass for Simple Western software.
• Performs Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtPCR) technique.
• Performs paraffin embedding of cells on membrane filters, microtomy, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slide staining.
• Provides assistance with advanced assays, including microbiology experiments with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), interleukins, and dehydroepiandrosterone (RSV).
• Performs S-nitrosothiol-Resin Assisted Capture (SNO-RAC) technique.
• Runs a variety of sample types for nitric oxide analysis, along with regular maintenance and troubleshooting of the Sievers Nitric Oxide Analyzer (NOA) 280i.

• Performs a wide variety of complex experiments and reports results.
• Organizes analytical data of performed experiments. May submit findings for publication.
• Installs and maintains research equipment.
• Acts as a liaison to students and laboratory personnel for training.
• Maintains laboratory supply requisition and management.
• Trains junior-level staff.
• Plans experiments and short-term goals.
• May require travel in order to service various research sites.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

• Bachelor's degree in science or a related field.

• 2 years of related research experience.

• Proficient communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to build strong customer relationships.

The role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. The role frequently requires the ability to move about the work environment and to position oneself to operate laboratory equipment effectively. The role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and will occasionally work near moving…