Temporary Lab Technician

Temporary Lab Technician

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is seeking a Temporary Lab Technician to conduct basic research in the area of molecular environmental toxicology, which includes combining cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry and animal models of human disease. This individual will be working under the guidance of Dr. Sandra Diven in the Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

This individual's primary role is to conduct experiments to define the key molecular mechanisms for how metals induce chromosome instability in humans, experimental animals and wildlife cells.

The individual will be responsible for conducting wet lab research studies focused on exposing cell lines or animal models to chemicals and measuring the consequences and outcomes of those chemical exposures. The work will include field work collecting tissues from wildlife and routine cell and animal maintenance. Assays that will frequently be performed include quantitative-real-time-polymerase chain reaction analysis, chromosome aberration analysis, western blotting, and immunofluorescence among others.

Data analysis will include common and standard tools including graphical and tabular presentation of data. Regular laboratory maintenance, recording keeping, and inventory maintenance are expected. Some work will be conducted at sea on boats, in the brush catching alligators and on the beach sampling sea turtles late at night (as the turtles are only on the beach after dark). This work will involve contact with wild animals.

The individual hired will carry out research assignments for multifaceted research projects in cooperation with the Wise Laboratory team and perform laboratory experiments. Communicate regularly with Dr. Sandra Wise and Dr. John Wise, Sr. Their role is to support other laboratory employees by maintaining lab notebooks, conducting assays, labeling, and storing samples and managing stocks in accordance with laboratory protocols and maintain an understanding of biohazard safety and dispose of hazardous waste.

The individual will support and perform experimental record keeping, rigorous and safe laboratory practices, and help ensure quality and accuracy of oral and written scientific presentations of laboratory staff, collaborate in the research associated with scientific projects, help to make the laboratory a professional and generally collegial, safe, and productive work environment. Applicant must be a self-motivated individual that can conduct guided experimentation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform experimental research in the field of molecular environmental toxicology. This effort will include, but is not limited to cell culture, protein biochemistry, molecular biology techniques and animal experiments.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data, and perform experiments under the direction of Dr. Diven.
• Report to Dr. Diven frequently on status of research, and lab activities.
• Actively and constructively work collaboratively with members of the laboratory and collaboration partners in the collection of samples, conduct research, writing and editing of materials for publication and presentation.
• Assist in fostering a collaborative laboratory environment of shared training responsibility, scientific integrity, and intellectual independence and maturity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS degree in Biology
• Prior experience working hands-on with marine mammals, alligators or sea turtles
• Comfortable working hands-on at sea on boats, in the brush catching alligators and on the beach sampling sea turtles late at night (as the turtles are only on the beach after dark).
• Comfort with experimental animal work.

Competencies:

• Proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point
• Effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Project Management - organized, task oriented, ability to delegate and follow up. Proactive - anticipates and plans for problems before they arise.
• Flexible – ability to change directions as needed for the good of the research or laboratory.
• Communication – Able to communicate and follow professional…