Visiting Research Specialist - Beckman Institute

Biological Sample Preparation, Histology and Staining

• Process biological specimens, including cell lines, primary cells, organoids, animal tissues and human biospecimens (e.g., biopsies, blood, PBMCs, FFPE samples).
• Prepare buffers and reagents at a high level of accuracy.
• Perform routine and multi-cycle multiplexed immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry and histology staining of cultured cells, primary cells and tissue specimens (e.g., frozen and FFPE sections).
• Prepare biological specimens for optical imaging workflows, including fixation, embedding, sectioning, labeling and mounting.
• Optimize staining protocols and tissue/cell processing methods to ensure compatibility with phase imaging, fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy.
• Prepare standardized sample sets for instrument testing, calibration and biological experiments.
• Work with the engineering team to optimize the automated workflow.
• Work with senior researchers to ensure correct tissue orientation, sectioning strategy and annotation.
• Write, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technical documentation related to sample preparation and imaging workflows.

Advanced Microscopy Data Acquisition and Analysis

• Perform data acquisition of biological samples using custom-built optical microscopy systems, including quantitative phase imaging (QPI) systems, large-scale fluorescence imaging platforms and super-resolution microscopy with high image quality.
• Ensure proper sample mounting, instrument alignment checks and adherence to experimental protocols to achieve reproducible imaging results.
• Analyze imaging data using custom-built and in-house software tools under supervision, perform basic quantitative analysis and statistical summaries and prepare organized data reports and figures as requested to support ongoing biological and pathological studies.

Cell Culture and Maintenance

• Maintain and process mammalian cell lines and primary cultures (passaging, viability checks, cryopreservation).
• Support specialized culture systems as needed (immune cells, epithelial cells, co-cultures, simple organoid models, PBMCs).
• Assist with drug treatments, perturbation studies, time-course experiments and sample collection.
• Monitor culture quality (contamination control, morphology, growth rates).
• Maintain rigorous record and metadata documentation for all samples.

Laboratory Operations, Inventory and Biosafety Compliance

• Manage day-to-day laboratory operations and supplies, including chemicals, reagents, antibodies, media and cryopreserved biological materials.
• Maintain organized inventories and databases for biological samples received from internal and external collaborators, ensuring proper labeling, storage and documentation. Order laboratory supplies as needed.
• Perform routine laboratory maintenance tasks, including monitoring and replacing deionized water filtration cartridges, checking and maintaining autoclave function and usage logs and routinely replacing liquid nitrogen and CO₂ tanks to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operation.
• Set up and maintain laboratory equipment as needed and coordinate equipment servicing by contacting vendors for troubleshooting, repair or preventive maintenance when issues arise.
• Work with the Division of Research Safety on laboratory inspections, biosafety compliance, biosafety cabinet certification and proper waste disposal.

Training and Support of Laboratory Members

• Train and assist new laboratory members at multiple levels (high school, undergraduate, graduate) in basic cell culture, tissue handling, staining techniques and biosafety procedures.
• Provide hands-on guidance to ensure consistency, reproducibility and adherence to laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Additional Research and Collaborative Responsibilities

• Perform additional appropriate research-related duties in support of the laboratory’s scientific mission, such as assisting with collaborative projects, contributing to method development, troubleshooting biological sample preparation issues, and supporting interdisciplinary research efforts involving imaging, pathology and computational analysis.