Research Technician - Tu Lab

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The work housed here supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation. As HHMI scientists continue to push boundaries in laboratories and classrooms, you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.

Job Description

We are seeking a Research Technician to support the lab of Dr. Ben Tu at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

The Tu Lab is investigating the relationship between cellular metabolism, nutrition, and fundamental regulatory processes.

Working in mice, they are exploring novel and unexpected links between metabolism, cell growth, and disease in mammals. This work has implications for understanding cancer, obesity, and a variety of neurodegenerative conditions.

More information about his lab can be found on his website tulab.science.

We are looking for someone who has experience in mouse husbandry, genotyping, metabolic phenotyping and is familiar with oral gavage.

We are ideally targeting candidates looking to commit to the lab at least 2 years.

As with all roles involving animal work, this position will require flexible hours depending on the needs of the experiment.

We are ideally targeting someone who is enthusiastic, curious, and passionate about the work that they do within a cutting-edge scientific lab.

What You'll Do :

Genotyping the lab's mouse colony by performing PCR, gel electrophoresis, and other techniques.

Mouse work such as husbandry, sacrificing and tissue harvesting.

Work with genetically-engineered mouse models of cancer, obesity, and other disease conditions.

Prepares various solutions and / or media accordingly. Understands how to develop recipes based on concentrations of ingredients.

Will manage adherence to institutional biosafety and animal care and use standards and keep compliance records / logs up to date.

Attend lab meetings and planning sessions.

The ability to participate and possibly lead research projects.

Skills You Bring :

A bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, or biochemistry.

Previous hands-on experience working with rodents in a laboratory environment.

Demonstrated animal management experience to include mice husbandry, breeding, colony management, mouse genetics and genotyping procedures.

General experience with molecular biology and biochemistry techniques.

Preferably experience with mouse colony management software such as Softmouse.

Preferably previous experience designing rodent experiments and managing projects.

Strong initiative, self-motivation, and capacity for creative problem solving.

Strong multitasking skills and time management.

Ability to use good judgment in managing deadlines and responding to inquiries.

Meticulous attention to detail with emphasis on keeping records of experiments and results.

Comfortable with handling live mice.

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s);
• dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters;

ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note :

This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.

Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs.

Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer