Senior Research Lab Technician - Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology

About the role

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Lab Technician to support the lab’s translational cancer research program focused on breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The position will assist with laboratory research and daily operations, including in vitro and in vivo experiments, animal handling, equipment and supply management, specimen preparation, inventory control, and data documentation. The Senior Research Assistant will work closely with the PI, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and other laboratory staff, contributing both independently and collaboratively while providing general technical and logistical support. This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment depends on project need, funding availability, and performance.

Unit: Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center MBU | Department: Massey Research Support

Core Responsibilities

• Maintain and expand breast cancer and AML cell lines, primary patient‑derived samples, and stem/progenitor cultures under sterile conditions; establish and troubleshoot new cell culture systems.
• Design, execute, and analyze multi‑color flow cytometry panels for immunophenotyping, cancer stem cell marker analysis (e.g., ALDH, surface markers), coordinate cell sorting (FACS), and perform apoptosis/proliferation assays.
• Perform routine animal handling, breeding colony maintenance, genotyping, tumor cell implantation (orthotopic/xenograft), treatment dosing, and tissue harvesting in mouse models of breast cancer and leukemia, complying with IACUC protocols.
• Conduct Western blotting, ELISA, qPCR, immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, and standard molecular cloning to support ongoing projects.
• Maintain detailed, audit‑ready laboratory notebooks and electronic records; ensure compliance with biosafety, chemical hygiene, and animal welfare regulations.
• Order and manage laboratory supplies and reagents, maintain shared equipment, and assist with training of new lab members and rotation students.
• Assist with data organization, figure preparation, and summarization of results for lab meetings, manuscripts, and grant progress reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, or a related life‑science field, or equivalent experience.
• 2–3 years of hands‑on laboratory experience with demonstrated proficiency in mammalian cell culture, including primary cell and cancer stem cell culture.
• Substantial experience with multi‑parameter flow cytometry, including panel design, sample preparation, and data analysis (e.g., FlowJo).
• Direct, hands‑on experience with small‑animal (mouse) handling, injections, tumor implantation, breeding colony management, and tissue collection; prior IACUC protocol experience strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous record‑keeping habits; ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a cancer biology, hematology/oncology, or immunology research laboratory.
• Experience with cell‑sorting operation or coordination, ELISA/Western blotting, qPCR, or basic molecular cloning.
• Familiarity with xenograft and patient‑derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models.
• Experience contributing to IACUC or IBC protocol preparation and renewal.

Salary Range

$50,000‑$70,000

Benefits

All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash‑match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Employment Details

• FLSA Exemption Status: Non‑Exempt
• Hours per Week: 40
• Restricted Position: Yes
• ORP Eligible: No
• Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Contact Information

Cheyenne Taylor – Cheyenne.Taylor@vcuhealth.org