Lab Researcher - Hume Lab

National Jewish Health; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hume Lab at National Jewish Health seeks a Lab Researcher to study how cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor affect immune defenses in the lung. You will work with human and mouse macrophages, tissue, and bacterial cultures, performing experiments and maintaining a tissue bank in a collaborative setting.

You’ll gain experience with cell culture, sterile techniques, and data analysis, presenting findings at lab meetings and supporting day-to-day operations.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree required.
• 2 years of laboratory experience required; Master’s degree may substitute for experience.
• Experience with sterile cell culture and common molecular assays preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform experiments using human and mouse macrophages, cell lines, and research mice.
• Work with cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor exposure models, bacterial culture.
• Maintain and organize a human lung tissue bank.
• Present findings at lab meetings using PowerPoint.
• Maintain clear, accurate laboratory records and communicate results.

Skills

Sterile cell culture

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Western blotting

Flow cytometry

PCR

ELISA

Bacterial culture

Mouse handling

Job description

• Facility *National Jewish Health - Main Campus
• Department Medicine - Pulmonary Division
• Schedule - Shift - Hours Full Time - Day Shift: Monday - Friday

The Hume Lab at National Jewish Health is seeking a motivated Lab Researcher to study how cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor affect immune defenses in the lung. The position offers hands‑on experience with human lung samples, cell culture, mouse models, and bacterial infection experiments in a collaborative research environment.

Our research focuses on macrophages, immune cells that help protect the lungs from infection. We investigate how smoking and vaping change macrophage function and how those changes may weaken defenses against bacteria. Using a growing collection of donated human lung tissue, we study where immune cells reside and how they behave in different regions of the lung. We also examine macrophages from patients with a genetic predisposition to lung disease called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

The Lab Researcher will help conduct experiments using primary human and mouse macrophages, cell lines, and research mice. Our work includes cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor exposure models, bacterial culture, and studies involving Streptococcus pneumoniae. The researcher will also help maintain and organize our established human lung tissue bank.

Training in laboratory-specific methods will be provided. Prior experience with sterile cell culture, Western blotting, flow cytometry, PCR, ELISA, or bacterial culture is preferred. Ability and willingness to work with research mice is required. Other methods used in the lab include tissue histology, fluorescence microscopy, and data analysis.

The selected candidate will:

• Work under the supervision of the principal investigator and collaborate closely with members of the Hume Lab and the broader multi-investigator research group.
• Perform experiments independently after training.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and graph data using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism, with training provided as needed.
• Maintain clear, accurate laboratory records and communicate results with integrity and transparency, including unexpected or inconclusive findings.
• Present findings at lab meetings using PowerPoint.
• Assist with laboratory maintenance and day-to-day operations.

Position Summary:

The position is responsible for planning, developing, executing and monitoring testing techniques and investigative procedures under the direction of a Principal Investigator or Lab Manager.

• Develops new techniques and investigative procedures, including scientific routines, computer programming techniques and data reporting techniques.
• Monitors quality control of routines, experiments, general laboratory activities and the use of research animals in the laboratory setting.
• Performs laboratory functions unique to the assigned laboratory.
• Provides general guidance to laboratory staff, including technicians, support and auxiliary staff. Acts as a leader for laboratory programs and staff in assigned areas.
• Demonstrates enhanced proficiency in data analysis, preparation of glassware, extraction and plating procedures, programming and mathematical ordering systems.
• Prepares statistical tabulations, using a calculator or computer.
• Oversees supply functions, inventory control, equipment use and maintenance, and animal care and ordering, as needed.
• Maintains compliance with all institutional / safety training requirements.
• Maintains laboratory records, supplies, samples in an organized manner (such as a laboratory notebook and sample storage record).
• Acts a liaison to other department personnel, outside investigators, and vendors.
• Performs routine and non-routine tests leading to the successful completion of developed experiments.

Other Duties

• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
• Laboratory Knowledge: Demonstrates and understands laboratory testing and methodology.
• Decision Quality: Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment. Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
• Adaptability:Maintains effectiveness in the midst of change in work responsibilities or environment, requirements ambiguity, or stress.
• Problem Solving: Uses issue identification, data relation and comparison, pattern recognition and information gathering to create analyses and make recommendations.
• Informing/Communicating: Conveys ideas, responses, or instructions effectively, appropriately, and persuasively through writing or speech.
• Professional Relationships: Interacts with others in a constructive, positive, and respectful manner, regardless of individual differences. Assists team members or co-workers in achieving personal goals and completing assignments.
• Drive for Excellence: Consistently meets performance expectations, ensures that accurate, objective, and timely measures of quality are made and used.
• Innovation Management:Identifies key trends, opportunities, and organizational capabilities that would bring competitive advantage to the organization. Sees trends before others and integrates concepts in a unique way.

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility:

None

Travel:

None

Core Values

• Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
• Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
• Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
• Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
• Promotes a workplace culture based on mutual respect and merit, where all individuals are treated fairly and provided with equal opportunity to contribute to the mission and goals of the institution.
• Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree required.
• Work Experience: 2 years of Laboratory Experience required. A Master’s Degree and laboratory experience may be substituted for the required 2 years of work experience.
• Special Training, Certification or Licensure: None

Salary Range:

$22.76 - $30.10

Benefits

At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset. With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage:Multiple Cigna health plans for Colorado, regional office and remote employees. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) available to pair with some plans.
• Paid Time Off:Generous PTO accruals to use for vacation and sick days, and six paid holidays, all compliant with Colorado state sick leave regulations.
• Dental & Vision Plans:Coverage effective the first of the month after hire.
• Retirement Savings:403(b) plan with employer contributions after two years.
• Wellness Incentives:Earn up to $200 annually for preventive health activities.
• Tuition Reimbursement:Up to $5,250 annually for full-time and part-time employees.
• Child Care Assistance:Childcare Flex Spending Account (FSA) with annual employer contribution.
• Loan Forgiveness:Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• Disability & Life Insurance:Employer-paid plans and optional buy-up choices.
• Voluntary Benefits:Full suite of coverage options such as Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Plan
• Exclusive Discounts:Savings on local services, insurance, and RTD bus passes.

Anticipated Application Deadline: 2026-10-16

National Jewish Health

Human Resources

1400 Jackson St

Denver, CO 80206

303.398.1035

[e-mail]

National Jewish Health is a non-profit, non-sectarian institution and is a longstanding cornerstone in the Denver healthcare community. National Jewish Health seeks to attract the best-qualified candidates who support the mission, vision and values of the Institution. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical or mental disability, marital, familial or parental status, genetic information, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected classification. We are a tobacco and fragrance-free environment.