"Technician B"

Position Summary

The laboratory of Dr. Akanksha Thawani at Columbia University in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics is seeking a highly motivated and organized Technician B to support both the scientific and operational setup of a new laboratory focused on genome biology, transposon mechanisms, and structural biochemistry. This is an ideal opportunity for a recent graduate with a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field who is interested in gaining hands-on research and laboratory management experience before pursuing graduate or medical school.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct molecular biology and biochemistry experiments related to ongoing projects, with guidance from the PI and senior researchers.
• Participate in a research project focused on transposon biology and genome engineering, including experimental planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Assist in establishing laboratory infrastructure, including the setup of equipment and organization of shared workspaces.
• Coordinate purchasing, inventory, and ordering of reagents, consumables, and lab supplies.
• Help manage equipment installation, maintenance, and vendor interactions.
• Prepare reagents, maintain stocks, and support day-to-day lab operations and cleanliness.
• Assist with record keeping, safety documentation, and compliance with institutional guidelines.
• Attend and contribute to lab meetings and collaborate with other lab members to support the broader research goals of the group.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, physics, or related science or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with molecular cloning, protein expression, or basic cell culture.

Experience with lab operations or lab management (even as an undergraduate assistant).

Interest in genome biology, chromatin, transposons, or structural biology.