Laboratory Research Technician

About the role

The Leukemia and Drug Development Lab (LDDL-P) at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Research Assistant to join a dynamic laboratory focused on developing next‑generation cellular therapies for hematologic malignancies. The successful candidate will support preclinical studies involving engineered immune cells, including NK‑ and T‑cell platforms, and will perform a broad range of advanced technical duties such as cell culture, multi‑parameter flow cytometry, molecular assays, and maintenance of primary cell‑based models. The Research Assistant will work closely with investigators, trainees, and clinical research partners to ensure smooth laboratory operations, generate high‑quality experimental data, and support ongoing therapeutic development programs within the Hillman cellular therapy research ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of laboratory experiments and procedures
• Prepare specimens
• Oversee supply management
• Operate and properly maintain equipment
• Document and organize research results and data according to NIH’s preferred good laboratory management practices (LabArchives)
• Make independent contributions to projects and studies based on evidence-based literature
• Independently work on projects and troubleshoot problems
• Perform statistical and graphical analysis of data, interpretation of data and validity of testing
• Maintain timely project goals, deadlines, and studies for contributions to publications and grant funding applications
• Analyze and communicate results and data analysis from high throughput sequencing platforms
• Perform sterile cell culture techniques
• Conduct tissue culture and related wet lab techniques (e.g., western blotting, functional assays)
• Isolate NK and T-cells from blood
• Optimize and perform in vitro immune assays
• Conduct flow cytometry
• Perform DNA isolation and cloning techniques including PCR
• Conduct gene editing of cell lines and primary cells with CRISPR-Cas9 electroporation or viral transduction
• Perform some animal handling

Physical Effort

• Moderate physical effort required
• May be required to stand/move for several hours at a time
• May be required to move objects up to 50 pounds with or without assistance of equipment

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum 1 year of experience