Lab & Research Technician - Dept. of Anatomy & Neurobiology

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Position Summary:

The Lafrenaye Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a full-time laboratory technician. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting the PI and other study staff and trainees with large animal surgeries, behavioral assessments, and tissue processing to investigate traumatic brain injury induced pathologies and potential therapeutic amelioration. This includes assisting in surgical preparation, during surgical procedures, post-surgery monitoring, and running behavioral tasks with mini pigs. The successful candidate will also assist with the processing and analysis of tissue for histological and molecular assessments and will help the PI in training newer students.

Core Responsibilities:

1.) Assist with and conduct pig surgical and behavioral procedures:

• Integrate into a small team to conduct the surgical preparation, traumatic brain injury induction, physiological monitoring, and behavioral assessment of research animals

2.) Immunohistochemistry/histology, imaging, and quantitative image analysis:

• Process pig brains using standard tissue preservation

3.) Cellular and molecular data collection:

• Process pig tissue for histological evaluation, protein assessments (western blots, ELISA, and activity assays), and single nucleus RNA Seq

4.) Assist with Laboratory maintenance/management:

• Assist the PI with the day to day maintenance and workflow of the lab including verifying that laboratory cleaning and safety policies are followed, ordering laboratory supplies, assisting trainees with technical issues and additional tasks as assigned by the PI

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Bachelor's degree
• Willingness to actively participate in translational higher order animal studies of traumatic brain injury
• At least 6 months of work experience in a wet lab setting
• Experience with at least 2 of the following techniques: animal surgeries, animal behavior, physiological monitoring of laboratory animals, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, and/or protein processing and quantification
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in past experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with laboratory pigs
• Experience with multiple of the following techniques: animal surgeries, animal behavior, physiological monitoring of laboratory animals, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, and/or protein processing and quantification

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

ORP Eligible: No

University Job Code: 34051

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