Research Specialist A / Laboratory Technician

Job Description Summary

The laboratory of Dr. Frederick Chris Bennett in the Department of Psychiatry is looking for a research specialist to join our basic neuroscience and immunology laboratory, to study a pediatric neurodegenerative disease and develop novel cell therapies to treat neurodegeneration.

Job Description

The research specialist will work closely with senior lab members under the supervision of the principal investigator to perform experiments using a combination of molecular biology, histology, biochemistry, cell biology, as well as mouse breeding and husbandry techniques.

• Assists and conducts experiments to meet research project objectives
• Performs routine duties to ensure smooth operation of the laboratory
• Daily management of laboratory tools, documentations, and processes to ensure regulatory compliance
• Closely collaborates with senior lab members on experimental work set ups in accordance to established protocols

Responsibilities

• Perform in vivo experiments, ranging from cellular transplantation, tissue sample collection, dissection, and cell isolation
• Conduct experiments to interrogate gene and protein expression, including by immunostaining, microscopy, flow cytometry, RNAscope, and RNAseq
• Maintain sterile in vitro cell culture practices and perform cell sorting by FACS
• Genetic engineering using molecular cloning techniques (DNA preparation, PCR, ligation, and transformation), CRISPR/Cas9
• Manage mouse colony, including breeding and genotyping
• Prepare stock solutions, aliquot reagents, monitor supplies, autoclave solutions, and maintain biosafety compliance records
• Contribute to general laboratory organization and inventories
• Keep detailed records of experimental work in a lab notebook
• Analyze flow cytometry, and imaging data
• Represent analyzed data in the form of figures
• Participate in lab journal club and present research progress in lab meetings