Technician II

The Opportunity

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

About the College

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG) department at Cornell is world-class and conducts research and teaching in the area of molecular biology and genetics. The Nwosu Lab is part of the MBG and conducts cancer research using cell lines and mouse models. The goal of our lab is to find new ways to prevent tumors from accessing nutrients and thereby potentially improve the treatments for cancer patients.

A research technician position is available in the Nwosu Lab within the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. The lab focuses on understanding how changes in metabolism contributes to pancreatic cancer progression. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and has a 5-years survival rate of 12%. This cancer is also known to be resistant to treatments. Our lab views pancreatic cancer from the perspective of answering "how can we starve the tumors as a means to suppress their growth and achieve better treatment for patients?"

The position advertised is expected to be occupied by an energetic and enthusiastic technician who assist the lab with experiments and also in lab organization. The methods to be used in our lab include cell culture, extracellular flux analysis (Seahorse), gene interference (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9, shRNA, siRNA), growth and other phenotypic assays, mouse models (including transgenic, subcutaneous and orthotopic implantation), microscopy, flow cytometry and histology. The successful applicant should have at least a high school diploma and should be a fast learner. Accordingly, expertise in all of the above-named methods is not mandatory. Nevertheless, the applicant should have previous laboratory experience in molecular biology, biochemistry or other life science subjects and should preferably have worked on a cancer project. The successful applicant should be able to handle basic research responsibilities such as setting up experiments, collecting experimental data and assisting other members of the lab in their experiments. In addition to these duties, the successful candidate will be in charge of maintaining laboratory reagents stock, protocols, supply inventories and updating lab safety documents.

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and satisfactory performance.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Need

• High school Diploma and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Working independently on projects after receiving appropriate training and directives.
• Experience in performing a variety of tests (including cell culture), reagent preparation and ordering of lab consumables.
• Experience in using computer programs such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word for data input or word processing to document procedures or reports.
• Appropriate writing skills to present data in a lab notebook and to give group meeting presentations.
• Ability to assist other members of the lab towards completing tasks, obtain cooperation for task completion and handle confidential information.
• Assist in evaluating lab methods, procedures and techniques based on written instruction.
• Prepare laboratory waste for disposal per protocols and adhere to lab safety procedures.
• Integrate into the lab and see self as a member of the lab, department and the university as a whole.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• An associate degree in biology and related fields with experience in various laboratory techniques.
• Experience in cell culture and mouse work.