RESEARCH ASSISTANT II-Lightner Lab

Responsibilities

• Work under minimal supervision and independently execute a broad range of laboratory techniques, exercising judgment to adapt established methods to project-specific requirements.
• Isolate primary cells from human tissue specimens, including biopsies and surgical resections.
• Establish, maintain, passage, and characterize 3D organoid cultures derived from primary human tissue, with particular attention to viability, growth kinetics, and phenotypic stability.
• Develop, optimize, and validate cell-based assays in 3D organoid and primary cell systems, including readouts for viability, proliferation, differentiation, drug response, and disease-relevant phenotypes.
• Maintain induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) cultures including directed differentiation protocols and downstream characterization.
• Process in vivo samples and integrate ex vivo data with in vitro experimental results.
• Interpret and analyze experimental data; troubleshoot technical issues and modify procedures to improve robustness, throughput, or biological relevance.
• Contribute to experimental design as part of broader research plans. May perform routine equipment maintenance and provide technical guidance and training to other team members.
• Perform other related duties, tasks and responsibilities as required or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline (cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or related field), or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Requires 3-5 years’ experience. Candidates possessing a master’s degree, 2+ years’ experience required.
• Hands-on experience with 3D organoid culture is required, including establishment from primary tissue, long-term maintenance, passaging, and characterization.
• Familiarity with patient-derived organoid systems strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience isolating primary cells from human tissue (biopsy, surgical resection, or equivalent), including enzymatic/mechanical dissociation, viability assessment, and downstream culture establishment.
• Proficiency with standard cell culture techniques.
• Experience with imaging, flow cytometry, qPCR, or other relevant characterization methods.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate experimental results clearly.

Physical Requirements

• This position works in a laboratory or vivarium environment.

Compensation

The expected hiring range for this position is $70,304 to $75,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Include Employer Contributed Retirement Plan – Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) using your own pre or post-tax dollars.
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including four medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more.
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care).
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies.
• Free, on-site parking.