Lab Coordinator - Heart and Vascular Institute

Penn State University; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The Penn State College of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute in Hershey, PA is seeking a lab coordinator to study arrhythmia and heart failure in congenital heart disease. The role will involve cell culture, imaging, patch clamp techniques, and small animal echocardiography, with data analysis and presenting results.

Primary duties include lab management, IRB support, training staff, preparing iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, performing qPCR, Western blot, and coordinating weekly lab activities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• No required certifications.

Responsibilities

• Manage multi-center submission of human subjects data and biologic specimens. Lab management (ordering, meticulous record keeping, attention to detail). Assist the postdoctoral and predoctoral teams with projects where needed (qPCR, western blot, other basic lab techniques).
• Assist faculty with IRB protocols.
• Oversee lab management (ordering, inventory, maintenance, storage, study budget management, meticulous record keeping, and lab security).
• Prepare human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes and perform contraction analyses at rest and in response to medication studies, along with patch clamping techniques and studies.
• Prepare cDNA clones for transfection, prepare dissection and dissociation solutions, process DNA and protein samples for PCR and Western blotting assays. Maintain cell line cultures for transfection. Transfect cell lines, perform pharmacological assays of transfected cell lines with the microplate reader, perform Western blotting assays and quantitative RT-PCR assays.
• Independently monitor and carry out oversight of animal lines including transgenic mice colony maintenance, employing gel electrophoresis and PCR techniques, preparing solutions and other routine lab duties. Analyze and plot data obtained from the assays performed. Assist faculty with IACUC protocols. Oversee animal charges and apply to appropriate study budgets.
• Provide training of other lab staff to ensure that duties above are properly and aptly executed. Coordinate weekly lab activities with PI and lab staff schedules along with the necessary supplies, equipment, and core facility availability.

Skills

Cell culture

Patch clamp

Echocardiography

qPCR

Western blot

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences

Tools

Small animal imaging

Radiotelemetry devices

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Penn State College of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute located in Hershey, PA is seeking a lab coordinator. This position is immediately available in Dr. Elisa Bradley’s laboratory to study the impact of arrhythmia and heart failure in congenital heart disease. Our laboratory uses multidisciplinary approaches to study the structural and electrical components of cardiovascular function in adults surviving congenital heart disease. Our research spans from human to animal, employing novel imagining and electrophysiologic techniques, to name a few.

The successful candidate will employ cell culture skills, cell imaging, and cell patch clamp techniques as well as small animal echocardiography skills, murine surgical skills to implant radiotelemetry devices and perform transaortic constriction, monitoring of electrocardiographic data and catecholaminergic stress testing as well as basic laboratory techniques to perform immunoblotting assays, fluorescence imaging, fluorescence-based studies employing a robotics microplate reader, quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis and cell culture techniques. The successful candidate must demonstrate technical and theoretical knowledge of the aforementioned assays. As a consequence, the candidate will be expected to analyze the data collected and present the results in formal presentations, manuscripts and grant applications.

Primary Duties:

• Manage multi-center submission of human subjects data and biologic specimens. Lab management (ordering, meticulous record keeping, attention to detail). Assist the postdoctoral and predoctoral teams with projects where needed (qPCR, western blot, other basic lab techniques).
• Assist faculty with IRB protocols.
• Oversee lab management (ordering, inventory, maintenance, storage, study budget management, meticulous record keeping, and lab security).
• Assist the postdoctoral and predoctoral teams with projects where needed (qPCR, western blot, other basic lab techniques).
• Prepare human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes and perform contraction analyses at rest and in response to medication studies, along with patch clamping techniques and studies.
• Prepare cDNA clones for transfection, prepare dissection and dissociation solutions, process DNA and protein samples for PCR and Western blotting assays. Maintain cell line cultures for transfection. Transfect cell lines, perform pharmacological assays of transfected cell lines with the microplate reader, perform Western blotting assays and quantitative RT-PCR assays.
• Independently monitor and carry out oversight of animal lines including transgenic mice colony maintenance, employing gel electrophoresis and PCR techniques, preparing solutions and other routine lab duties. Analyze and plot data obtained from the assays performed. Assist faculty with IACUC protocols. Oversee animal charges and apply to appropriate study budgets.
• Provide training of other lab staff to ensure that duties above are properly and aptly executed. Coordinate weekly lab activities with PI and lab staff schedules along with the necessary supplies, equipment, and core facility availability.

This is an on campus position.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $54,060.00 - $78,444.00.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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