Research Technician II (Time-Limited) - Infectious Diseases

Location: Saint Louis, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours: 40

About the Role

The Diamond Laboratory at WashU Medicine is looking to hire a time-limited Research Technician for up to one year (with the possibility of an extension) as part of a recent NIH award to study the impact of long-COVID on the brain. The researcher will work with human tissue specimens to analyze the impact of long-COVID on central nervous system immune responses using a combination of microscopy and single-cell transcriptomic techniques. The technician will also investigate if any aspect of brain immunity in long-COVID patients correlates with symptoms or neuronal damage in key brain regions. This position provides an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain additional laboratory experience working with human tissue, advanced microscopy techniques, and RNA-sequencing analyses.

Responsibilities

• Assists with research studies, experiments, and assays, including collection of data, preparation of solutions, and setup and maintenance of equipment.
• Performs immunofluorescent microscopy staining on brain and meningeal dural human specimens.
• Images tissue using a combination of widefield, confocal, and super-resolution microscopy techniques.
• Processes tissue for single-cell RNA sequencing analyses.
• Assists with analysis of imaging and transcriptomic datasets.
• Contributes to manuscript preparation and grant progress report preparation through data analysis and presentation, methods description, and more.
• Troubleshoots and optimizes technical issues with microscopy protocols (or other processes) to enhance data quality and rigor.
• Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
• Ensures lab conditions and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with general lab maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Up to one year of experience in a laboratory setting is ideal.

Skills

• Communication
• Detailed Reports
• Laboratory Instrumentation
• Laboratory Research
• Software Program
• Working Independently

Pay

Salary Range: $16.92 - $26.44 / Hourly

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, combining employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more.
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child.
• Family care resources for continued childcare needs and adult care.
• Tuition coverage for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.