Research Technician - Term Biological Sciences - Lea Lab

Job Description

A technician position is available in the Lea lab (http://lea-lab.org/), which is housed within the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University. Research in the Lea lab sits at the intersection of evolutionary biology, genomics, and human health research. Our work focuses on the gene regulatory mechanisms that connect socioecological variation with health. Most of this work is conducted with human populations in Kenya and Malaysia, but some projects focus on model systems such as immortalized human cell lines and non-human primates. 

The technician’s duties will include performance of basic molecular biology laboratory techniques, such as DNA and RNA sample extraction, library preparation for high-throughput sequencing, cell culture, transfection, and transformation. The technician will also be responsible for overseeing day-to-day logistics in the wet lab, including purchasing, sample and supply organization, shipping and receiving. More specifically, the individual will ensure that the laboratory has adequate supplies and properly maintained equipment, they will be in charge of communicating laboratory protocols, policies, and safety guidelines to other lab members, and they will work closely with trainees to provide support for ongoing research projects. 

The position is full time and is a term position, with renewal contingent on funding and performance.

The Department of Biological Sciences has an excellent staff to facilitate issue resolution involving personnel, financial management, supply and equipment orders proposal submission, and infrastructure. The faculty in the department carry out diverse research projects and often collaborate with other members within the department and in nearby departments. This department covers a broad spectrum of biology, from molecules and cells to tissues and organisms to populations and ecosystems. Award-winning faculty and graduate students teach and carry out research in Biochemistry, Structural Biology and Biophysics, Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Developmental Biology, and Neurobiology.

Duties and Responsibilities

Generate genomic datasets

• Extract DNA and RNA from biological samples

• Generate and QC libraries for high throughput sequencing (e.g., RNA-seq, DNA-seq, RRBS, or ATAC-seq libraries)

• Assist with ongoing projects in the lab using massively parallel reporter assays; these protocols require mammalian cell culture, transformation, and transfection

• Maintain a detailed lab notebook

Organization

• Maintain a detailed and up to date database of laboratory protocols

• Maintain a detailed and up to date database of supply ordering

• Maintain a detailed and up to date database of biological sample storage and oversee biological sample organization

• Assist other lab members with finding, using, and returning archived biological samples to freezers 

Daily lab operations

• Assist in collaborative efforts with other team members, laboratories, and/or institutions; train grad students, postdocs, and undergraduate trainees on specific protocols as needed

• Oversee daily operations with respect to equipment maintenance, ordering and supplies, safety procedures, and training

• Troubleshoot equipment and maintain as needed according to manufacturer and university guidelines

• Evaluate, negotiate, and purchase standard supplies and equipment

• Perform light administrative duties when asked, for example helping with permits, data and file management, or paperwork related to projects in the lab

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education (required)

• A minimum of 1 year of laboratory technician or other laboratory work experience (required)

• Comfortable with Microsoft Office, Google Drive apps, and other word processing or spreadsheet applications (required) 

• Comfortable with learning new applications for organizing samples, orders, etc. (required) 

• Extreme attention to detail and organizational abilities (required)

• Ability to function independently as well as part of a team (required)

• Ability to maintain a detailed lab notebook (required)

• Knowledge of basic aseptic technique and molecular techniques (e.g., PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA extractions) (required)

• Experience in a genomics or molecular biology laboratory (required)

• Experience with tissue culture (preferred)

• Experience with high-throughout sequencing library preparation (preferred)

Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively to the department Adminstrative Manager and functionally to Dr. Amanda Lea.