Research Technician - Biology

About the role

The Blackiston Lab at Tufts University is seeking a versatile, experienced, and highly motivated research technician.

Responsibilities

• Aid the PI with a broad range of bench top lab techniques supporting multiple projects in a developmental biology focused lab.
• Up to 70% of the primary tasks will include culturing and manipulating amphibian embryos, cloning, brightfield and fluorescent microscopy, immunohistochemistry, optogenetic tool development, robotic experimentation, and general lab responsibilities.
• The remaining time will be dedicated to focus on aquatic animal husbandry: maintaining resident stocks of primarily Xenopus laevis frogs and their housing equipment.
• Conducts routine experiments following appropriate protocols and procedures to achieve results.
• Records results and maintains accurate records of experiments.
• Performs limited data interpretation and assists with basic statistics and analysis.
• Maintains laboratory equipment and orders/keeps inventory of supplies.
• Prepares stock solutions, reagents and other media.
• Maintains animal colonies and performs husbandry, collects samples and maintains census records.
• Aquaculture Responsibilities:
  • Feeding and waste removal in “fish tank” style housing.
  • Performing water quality tests using kits and electrical meters and logging the results.
  • Observing animals for signs of illness and / or injury and reporting concerns about animal health and welfare to lab staff and University veterinary staff.

Requirements

• Knowledge and experience typically acquired by: Bachelor's Degree in a STEM field of focus.
• The following required knowledge and skills as typically acquired by completing a Bachelor’s degree in science with up to one year laboratory experience.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field of focus: biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline is required, with 1–2 years of molecular biology experience in an academic or industrial laboratory.
• Standard background in biological research: making solutions, microscopy, pipetting, electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Background work with an in vivo or in vitro biological system (i.e. any living organism).
• Comfortable following the instructions of supervising staff and asking clarifying questions when needed.
• Familiarity with basic laboratory techniques and procedures.
• An ideal candidate would have background in 1 or more of the following areas: 1) general cloning and sequencing, 2) optogenetic stimulation of cells, 3) experience with a biological model species, 4) background in bioinformatics and bulk RNAseq analysis.

Benefits

Pay Range: Minimum $20.90, Midpoint $24.90, Maximum $28.90

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.