Lab Specialist Intermediate, The Spencer Lab

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia in Charlottesville seeks a research scientist to work on infection and colonization models, plasmid construction, and cellular and animal studies. The role involves careful documentation, data analysis, and collaboration in group projects, with opportunity to co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts.

A Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience are required; preferred candidates may have animal work experience and the ability to mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 3+ years of relevant research experience.
• Experience with animal work preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Construct plasmid expression vectors using PCR, Gibson assembly, and sequencing.
• Perform bacterial transformation and generate bacterial mutants.
• Conduct Western blotting analysis of proteins from cell lysates and supernatants.
• Develop cellular and animal infection models.
• Maintain animal breeding colony.
• Document data and analyze with LabArchives, GraphPad Prism, and other software.
• Maintain laboratory stocks and organize lab operations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Collaborative work

Record keeping

Self-motivation

Ability to learn new skills

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Bachelor's degree in STEM preferred

Tools

PCR

Gibson assembly

miniprep purification

sequencing

LabArchives

GraphPad Prism

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Geneious Prime

Western blot

Job description

Position Summary

Research activities will include, but are not limited to western blotting, cloning, and cellular and animal models of infection and colonization. Additional duties include laboratory organization, purchasing, maintenance of molecular inventories, and biosafety. The position requires frequent use of scientific literature, appropriate experimental documentation, data analysis, clear data presentation, a collaborative attitude, and participation in group project meetings. Additional requirements include attention to detail in experimental work and record keeping, ability to handle multiple assignments, self-motivation and eagerness to acquire new skills. This position is ideal both for those seeking a long-term research scientist position, and for those seeking experience in preparation for doctoral-level research programs. The chosen candidate will have the opportunity to co-author manuscripts that will be peer-reviewed for publication in premier scientific journals.

Responsibilities

• Construction of plasmid expression vectors using PCR, Gibson assembly, plasmid miniprep purification, and sequencing.
• Bacterial transformation and generation of bacterial mutants
• Western blotting analysis of proteins from cell lysates and supernatants.
• Cellular and animal infection models
• Maintenance of animal breeding colony
• Data documentation, and analysis using LabArchives, GraphPad Prism, Geneious Prime, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other software as needed.
• Maintenance of laboratory stocks and solutions.
• Laboratory organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in STEM field preferred
• Lab experience: 6 years for Specialist Intermediate. (9 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree).
• Prior experience with animal work is preferred but not required
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Willingness to mentor junior members of the laboratory

Physical Demands

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.

Salary Range

• The anticipated hiring range is $50,000 - $60,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits .
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .

Additional Requirements

• Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.