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

Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• 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.