Lab Technician or Specialist, Witt Lab - Surgery

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia's Department of Surgery seeks a Lab Technician or Specialist to join Dr. Russell Witt's lab at UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on melanoma and obesity interactions and treatment responses.

The role involves in vivo mouse experiments, colony management, planning and executing cancer research, data collection and analysis, and meticulous documentation with emphasis on reproducibility and compliance with animal-use protocols.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent; 2+ years lab experience.
• Bachelor’s degree; 1–3+ years lab experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform mouse experiments including implantation, drug administration, tumor measurements, and tissue collection.
• Maintain breeding colonies, genotyping, colony tracking, and records.
• Plan, design, and execute cancer research experiments using molecular, cellular, biochemical, and histologic techniques.
• Collect, analyze, interpret, and present experimental data; ensure controls and reproducibility.
• Maintain complete experimental records and assist with manuscripts and reports; ensure compliance with protocols.

Skills

Animal handling

Data analysis

Laboratory techniques

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Department of Surgery at the University of Virginia’s (UVA) School of Medicine, seeks a Lab Technician or Specialist to work in the lab of Dr. Russell Witt. The incumbent will participate in the planning, design, execution, and management of research projects in Dr. Russell Witt’s foundational biological/health science research laboratory at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on melanoma cancer research. Dr. Witt’s lab studies the interactions between obesity, sex hormones, and melanoma treatment responses. For more information regarding the lab, please see: https://wittlab.squarespace.com/.

35% In Vivo Research and Mouse Colony Management

• Performs mouse experiments for cancer research, including tumor implantation, drug administration, tumor measurements, animal monitoring, and collection of tissues and blood.
• Maintains breeding colonies, including breeding setup, weaning, genotyping, colony tracking, and recordkeeping.
• Performs necropsies, euthanasia, and tissue harvesting in accordance with approved protocols.
• Monitors animal health and experimental endpoints and communicates concerns promptly to the principal investigator and veterinary staff.
• Maintains accurate animal-use records and ensures compliance with institutional animal care and use protocols.
• Assists with the development, optimization, and implementation of new mouse models and in vivo experimental techniques.

35% Research Project Planning and Execution

• Participates in the planning, design, execution, and management of cancer research projects.
• Designs and performs laboratory experiments using molecular, cellular, biochemical, and histologic techniques.
• Collects, analyzes, interprets, and presents experimental data.
• Establishes appropriate experimental controls, quality standards, and reproducibility measures.
• Reviews relevant scientific literature and incorporates emerging methods into ongoing projects.
• Troubleshoots experiments and recommends modifications to experimental designs and analytical approaches.

15% Research Documentation and Dissemination

• Maintains complete and accurate experimental records, protocols, datasets, and laboratory documentation.
• Assists with preparation of research manuscripts, abstracts, figures, presentations, and reports.
• Assists the principal investigator with preliminary data, experimental plans, and other materials for new or renewed extramural funding applications.

15% Laboratory Operations and Compliance

• Provides regular updates to the principal investigator regarding research progress, experimental results, and operational needs.
• Coordinates laboratory supplies, inventory, ordering, and organization.
• Oversees routine maintenance, calibration, and testing of laboratory equipment.
• Helps maintain compliance with institutional biosafety, animal-use, and laboratory safety requirements.
• Performs additional duties consistent with the position as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Lab Technician:

• Education: Associate's degree required; may accept equivalent combination of experience, education, certification in lieu of degree.
• Experience: 2+ years of lab experience which may include student experience.

Lab Specialist

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience: 1-3+ of experience in a lab setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to translate, adapt, and apply academic and/or practical knowledge in conducting biological/health science research
• Experience in a biological/health science research capacity

Anticipated Hiring Range:

$20 - $23/hour commensurate with education and experience.

This position WILL consider sponsor applicants already in the US for work visas. This is a restricted position; continuation is dependent on funding and satisfactory performance.

This position is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is a full-time benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed health screen is required for this position.

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 benchwork and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation.

EEO / Diversity

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

Application Process