Research Technician III, Cellular & Molecular Medicine (University of Arizona)(Full-Time)

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) at the University of Arizona is committed to pushing the boundaries of biological knowledge through a comprehensive educational approach and interdisciplinary research. With a reputation for faculty-led research in complex disease pathogenesis, CMM's expertise encompasses cellular, molecular, and developmental biology, as well as anatomy and genetics. The department focuses on imaging, bioinformatics, ‘omics’, stem cells, and systems genetics, and is known for its collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment, ranking #9 in the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research 2023 rankings.

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine is seeking a highly skilled Research Technician III to support advanced laboratory operations with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate will bring specialized expertise in molecular cardiovascular physiology and demonstrate the ability to independently troubleshoot and propose innovative solutions to experimental challenges.

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Perform complex experimental procedures, including:

• Isolation and culture of mouse and rat cardiomyocytes
• Performing confocal microscopy for high-resolution cellular imaging
• Conducting rodent husbandry and monitoring animal health
• Performing telemetry implantation surgeries in rodents to collect physiological data
• Utilizing molecular biology techniques, including the production and handling of adenoviruses
• Use high level of knowledge of methods and protocols of molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology to support data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Protocol Design and Refinements:

• With minimal supervisor guidance, refines, adapts, and makes decisions to switch experiment parameters in response to situational demands of experiments.
• Assists in preparing experimental designs, technical protocols and techniques, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Record-keeping, Analysis, and Presentations

• Communicates effectively all aspects of experiments with PI or other laboratory staff.
• Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments, results, and enters data in laboratory databases.
• Catalogs specimens and samples.
• Performs independent analysis and interpretation of data for investigator and prepares summary reports.
• Assists in preparation of data for publication and/or presentations at scholarly meetings.
• Assist in troubleshooting of unexpected technical obstacles.

Operational Support

• Orders and catalogs laboratory supplies and supports laboratory operations
• Assist in maintaining laboratory equipment and related records.
• Operating, maintaining and troubleshoot highly specialized and sophisticated scientific apparatuses, equipment, and instruments for cardiovascular research and the study of heart disease and the ryanodine receptor.
• Acts as a non-supervisory team leader for lower-level research associates and undergraduate student researchers on lab operations and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Prior experience with the role and regulation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor in acquired and inherited cardiac diseases.
• Prior experience with cardiomyocyte isolation, culture, and confocal microscopy/
• Employee must be able to keep protocols, data, and samples organized with clear documentation recording how experiments were performed to ensure rigor and reproducibility.
• Employee must be able to solve problems that may require some analysis and interpretation. They are expected to independently propose solutions to problems for manager review, requiring innovation and creativity. Be able to review the effectiveness of programs, projects, or systems within own group / function, and making necessary adjustments.
• Employee should be able to effectively communicate with professionalism with immediate peers within assigned work group and facilitate interaction and information exchange with other work groups as required to perform role. Based on nature of the role, employee may field requests from others in the organization.
• Employee should be able to work under minimal guidance and assigned in the form of desired expectations. Should use independent judgment to determine best approach and creativity is expected to achieve maximum results and handle new situations. Decisions have some impact on operations and outcomes within own job function (generalists) or specific work area (specialists).