Laboratory Research Technician III

Laboratory Research Technician III

A Research Tech III position is available in the Ait Ali/Sahel lab of the University of Pittsburgh, Ophthalmology Department.

Bachelor’s degree in Sciences, Molecular biology preferred. 2 years of lab experience required.

Performs a variety of independent laboratory work and experiments such as determining experimental protocols and preparation of specimens and cultures. Prepares reports of findings subsequent to compilation and analyzation. Oversees specimen inventory. Develops documentation for publication; crafts manuscripts and grant proposals.

Research & Laboratory Expertise

• Bibliographic research and experimental design to test and validate scientific hypotheses
• Design, implementation, and optimization of experimental workflows; troubleshooting technical and biological parameters in multi-day experiments
• Method validation and design of comparative experimental conditions

Laboratory Management & Organization

• General laboratory organization, including protocol writing, inventory management, purchasing, and safety documentation
• Supervision and training of students

Cell Biology & Biochemistry

• Cell culture at small to large scale (tens to hundreds of millions of cells) for quantitative profiling experiments
• Cell harvest, lysis, protein extraction, solubilization, fractionation, and protein biochemistry
• Cell line maintenance, passaging, cryostorage, harvesting, aliquot preparation, and mycoplasma testing

Molecular Biology & Microbiology

• Plasmid preparation, competent cells, agar plates, and plaque assays
• Bacteriophage detection, preparation of bacterial growth media, buffers, and aliquots
• Nucleic acid extraction, purification, and quantification, PCR, cDNA synthesis, and RT-PCR

Protein & Biochemical Assays

• Western blotting, BCA protein assay, calcium measurement assays, Protein extraction

Animal Models

• Mouse (Mus musculus) handling
• Retina extraction and embedding in OCT compound
• Ear punching and tail sampling, organ dissection, and cryostorage
• Injections (intracardiac, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, retro-orbital), anesthesia, euthanasia
• Genotyping by PCR

Software & Databases

• Excel, ImageJ, Prism, SnapGene
• NCBI, Ensembl, Primer3
• Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, EndNote

Be able to work at lab bench for hours at a time, ability to lift up to 25lbs

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.