GENERAL PURPOSE:Under the supervision of Dr. Falsetta, the position is full-time in a laboratory studying the vulvar pain condition known as localized provoked vulvodynia. There is also a minor clinical coordinating component (5%) that involves working with clinical faculty and staff to identify patients eligible for the study, obtain patient consent, and pick up patient tissue specimens for laboratory analysis. Previous clinical coordinator experience is not required.The position requires daily utilization of laboratory skills, including but not limited to cell line and primary cell culture, aseptic technique, microbiological culture, microscopy, nucleic acid isolation (RNA and DNA), standard and quantitative PCR, siRNA knockdown, protein overexpression, flow cytometry, genetic/cloning techniques, protein quantification, Western blot analysis, ELISAs, EIAs, Luminex, primary cell isolation and purification (from human and mouse tissues), the handling of mice, and procedures on mice (subcutaneous injection, anesthesia, treatment applications, pain testing, post-mortem tissue collection, gavage, etc.).The position requires a high level of independence with only occasional suggestions in modifying, varying, or adapting laboratory procedures to meet the special needs of the research. A qualified applicant will be adept at troubleshooting and adapting protocols and techniques as needed. The position requires the ability to be proactive and identify problems before or when they arise and be able to triage them.Upon the completion of experiments, the data must be processed, interpreted, and organized in a brief written report with presentations to be made at lab meetings on a regular basis. Furthermore, the technician will assist with the preparation of charts, graphs, and tables for publications, presentations, and grant applications. There may be the requirement to write short sections of text covering methodology or review text pertaining to procedures performed by the technician. Regularly scheduled progress meetings will be held with Dr. Falsetta. An understanding of the experiments and relevant up-to-date knowledge of the projects’ background is expected, which may include the need to perform literature searches and read primary research articles and reviews.Duties also include serving as the laboratory safety correspondent, ordering and maintaining supplies, and maintaining laboratory organization, chemical inventories, and safety protocols.SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES :
Under general direction and exercising independent technical judgment, is in charge of a segment of complex research in a larger project, or works independently in specialized research assignments. Responsibilities include most or all of the following, as well as other related duties:
Following approved protocols for the conduct of research, develops and installs laboratory operating procedures. Develops and modifies test methods, selects procedures for data collection and handling, and develops computer programs for conversions and statistical treatment of data.
Trains laboratory staff. Teaches laboratory techniques and instrumentation procedures to students; counsels them on technical problems; advises and assists them with special research projects. Insures that health and safety practices are maintained in accordance with University policy and the law.
Analyzes and evaluates experimental data and interprets results within the scope of study; assesses the importance of findings in relation to the general research program. Prepares written reports on assigned area of research. May assist in writing of the principal project report and in the writing of articles for publication.
Independently operates complex scientific equipment.
Designs or collaborates in designing research equipment. Evaluates the performance of research equipment, making or recommending correctional design changes or developing new approaches for its use.
Maintains contact with outside research laboratories vendors and technical representatives concerning assigned area of research. Orients visitors to the laboratory.
May assist the faculty researchers in the preparation of research proposals.
Coordinates service support: repair of equipment, requisitioning of supplies and research materials and minor construction. May recommend expenditures for laboratory equipment and construction and authorize expenditures for expendable supplies.
Keeps abreast of trends in field of interest by studying current research literature, abstracting scientific articles of value in the prosecution of research problems and by attending meetings, institutes and seminars.
RESPONSIBILITIES:75% Bench/laboratory work: formulate experimental procedures and use laboratory techniques to process the experiments in the appropriate manner.
In vivo mouse model: 25%
Immunological assays: EIA, ELISA, Luminex, Flow: 10%
Protein extract preparation and Western Blot analysis: 10%
Nucleic Acid Isolation and RT-PCR/PCR: 15%
Cell/Tissue Culture: 20%
10% Data processing and figure formatting: after compiling data from experiments, the data must be analyzed. Then, it must be organized to publication quality and presented.5% Administrative/laboratory organization/training: serving as the laboratory safety correspondent, training students, ordering and maintaining laboratory stocks and supplies, and maintaining laboratory organization, writing/modifying laboratory protocols, and maintaining and safety protocols.5% Reporting: regularly meeting with Dr. Falsetta to discuss the current state of the project. Attending and actively participating in laboratory meetings to present analyzed data.5% Clinical coordinator duties: identifying patients eligible for the study by reviewing the surgical calendar and then coordinating with the clinical faculty and staff to consent patients and pick up tissues and samples when ready.REQUIREMENTS :Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, with an emphasis on microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, and/or molecular and cellular biology and 2 years related experience. Experience in the techniques outlined above and other technical or research experience is highly valuable. The successful applicant will possess great attention to detail, as well as knowledge of Excel and Word, and be proficient with routine laboratory calculations.NOTE: This document describes typical duties and responsibilities and is not intended to limit management from assigning other work as required.The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.How To ApplyAll applicants must apply online.EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/DisabledApply for Job
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Location: School of Medicine & Dentistry
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
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