Job Information
University of Utah Lab Technician in Salt Lake City, Utah
Details
Open Date 11/17/2023
Requisition Number PRN36964B
Job Title Lab Technician
Working Title Lab Technician
Job Grade C
FLSA Code Nonexempt
Patient Sensitive Job Code? No
Standard Hours per Week 40
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Shift Day
Work Schedule Summary
VP Area President
Department 01913 - HCI Benjamin Myers Lab
Location Campus
City Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment External Posting
Pay Rate Range 12.02 to 21.63
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Job Summary
The Myers Lab in the Department of Oncological Sciences / Huntsman Cancer Institute (http://www.myerslab.org) is looking for a highly motivated full-time laboratory technician to study cell-cell communication mechanisms in embryonic development and cancer. The candidate will be under the supervision of the laboratory PI and other senior laboratory personnel.
We have recently made a number of key discoveries regarding the Hedgehog signal transduction pathway, which controls the development of all our tissues and organs and is overactivated in numerous cancers (Deshpande et al, Nature 2019; Arveseth et al, PLOS Biology 2021; Happ et al, Nature Structural and Molecular Biology 2022; Walker et al, biorxiv 2023). Several exciting follow-up biochemistry / cell biology projects are currently ongoing in lab.
This is a unique opportunity to join a vibrant research lab working at the forefront of an emerging area of biomedical science. We would particularly encourage applications from postgraduate students looking to gain 1-2 years of lab experience in preparation for medical school or graduate school.
HuntsmanCancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve – which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming – with impact worldwide. Partnerships with individuals, communities, and many other entities are crucial to our work. Huntsman Cancer Institute values cancer-related health equity and inclusion as integral to our guiding principle to serve our patients and their communities, and our commitment to foster a culture of belonging for all within our organization.
In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your personal and professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute’s mission and this position.
Learn more:https://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/about-us/equity-diversity-inclusion
Responsibilities
Additional Qualifications:
Prior experience reading and interpreting original scientific literature is also required.
Knowledge of insect and mammalian cell culture, protein expression / purification, microscopy, cell-based assays, and standard molecular biology techniques are desirable but not necessary.
Essential Functions:
Performs and directs biochemical, microscopy-, and plate-reader-based assays to measure oncogenic signaling pathway activity. Confers with senior laboratory personnel regarding the procedures and techniques to be followed in conducting research and recommends modifications as needed.
Develops and optimizes new assays if necessary, both independently and in collaboration with the Principal Investigator.
Assists the Principal Investigator in the design, implementation and performance of new protocols and procedures as well as the modification of existing techniques.
Helps the Principal Investigator in ordering new equipment and reagents.
Maintains the lab’s collections of plasmids, cell lines, yeast / bacterial strains, and reagents.
Makes statistical calculations, analyzes data and prepares reports summarizing research results.
Operates complex and highly specialized laboratory instruments and equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, plate readers, chromatography workstations. Instructs others in their use.
Must be comfortable working with small amounts of radioactivity in the lab (S-35 and H-3).
May supervise the care of research animals; perform minor animal surgery or collect animal tissues and specimens for laboratory analysis.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated initiative, curiosity and dedication to scientific research, as well as the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Disclaimer
This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Problem-Solving
The Lab Specialist assists in the development of research protocols and designs. Modifies and implement procedures. Records and interprets research results. The incumbent works independently, under the general supervision of most senior laboratory personnel. Work may include training and supervising other laboratory personnel, who may refer sensitive or unusual situations to the incumbent. Problems that cannot be resolved by the incumbent will be referred to the most senior Lab personnel.
Comments
Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
Often: Infectious disease, oils ( there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids ), hazards ( includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, or exposure to chemicals ).
Seldom: Exposure to animals.
Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting, Bending, reaching overhead.
Seldom: Lifting up to 5-10 lbs.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or other scientific disciplines in a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required; knowledge of complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials and substances. Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, ability to create and analyze statistical calculations and prepare reports required; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required. OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification may be required by some departments.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.