"Research Technician"

Position Summary:

Dr. Harini Iyer's research group in Rice Biosciences is hiring a Research Technician I in the area of Neuroimmunology and Cell Biology.

Members of the Iyer Laboratory seek to illuminate the complex interplay between the nervous and immune systems during development, homeostasis, and neurodegeneration from the perspective of microglia. We use the vertebrate model organism zebrafish, widely appreciated for its amenability to live imaging and functional genomic screens, to tackle exciting questions in the field of neuroimmunology, including: How are signals of extracellular stress transduced to microglia in vivo? Can we gain a deeper understanding of the biology of microglia by defining the functions of neurodegeneration-associated genes? Are there conserved neuroimmune signatures between pediatric and adult neurodegenerative disorders? Collectively, we are a group of curiosity-driven developmental biologists and cell biologists with a shared goal of uncovering fundamental processes in neuroimmunology, thereby revealing strategies to prevent or cure neurodegenerative diseases.

The initial appointment will be for six months; however, the appointment term may be extended contingent upon satisfactory performance.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will be prepared to commit one to two years of focused work with our team prior to pursuing the next stage of their education and training (e.g., graduate school or equivalent advanced programs). We are especially seeking candidates who will take on independent projects and contribute to the management of the laboratory and fish facility.

Workplace Requirements:

On-campus position: This position is exclusively on site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:

$15.72/hour minimum, with hiring salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

*Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.*

This position is funded by a grant and/or soft or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of funding.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two years of related experience in biology or life sciences, broadly defined
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Knowledge of the basics of cell biology, genetics, and immunology
• Ability to use word processing and spreadsheet software, including Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic math and research skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and in team environments
• Ability to conduct basic evaluation and analysis of data
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards

Preferences:

• Bachelor's degree

Essential Functions:

• Assists in designing CRISPRs targeting genes associated with neurodegenerative disorders, generates CRISPR-Cas9 mutants in zebrafish, and maintains fish lines
• Assists with molecular biology experiments such as PCR assays, isolation and purification of DNA and RNA, and cloning of transgenes
• Collects and tracks basic data using spreadsheets and databases
• Trains junior members of the laboratory
• Assists with laboratory setup and day-to-day technical operations, including promoting safety, maintaining equipment, creating kits, and preparing reagents
• Prepares procurement requests and orders materials and supplies; manages sample and stock databases; sets up and manages experiments; and maintains research results for publications
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

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