Laboratory Research Specialist

The University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Antibody Therapeutics (CAT) within the Division of Infectious Diseases seeks a Laboratory Research Specialist to advance antibody discovery, engineering, and development programs. Responsibilities include cloning, expression, purification, and flow-cytometry based characterization in collaboration with faculty and trainees.

The role emphasizes data integrity, regulatory compliance, and strong teamwork to support externally funded projects and routine lab

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum 2 years of related laboratory experience.
• Experience in antibody discovery or engineering is preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular cloning and recombinant DNA techniques for antibody constructs.
• Support antibody engineering via design, humanization, and maturation.
• Express antibodies in bacterial and mammalian systems and maintain cell cultures.
• Purify/characterize antibodies using Protein A/G chromatography, SDS-PAGE and ELISA.
• Conduct flow cytometry assays for binding, specificity, potency and receptor occupancy.
• Document data, prepare reports, figures, and summaries for investigators.
• Maintain inventories, cell banks, reagents, and safety-compliant records.
• Assist with equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and laboratory operations.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and students on externally funded programs.

Skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Regulatory compliance

Documentation

Data analysis

Experiment design

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Molecular cloning

Recombinant antibody expression

Flow cytometry

Protein A/G chromatography

SDS-PAGE

ELISA

Transient transfection

Cell culture

Job description

Job Description - Laboratory Research Specialist (26006503)

Laboratory Research Specialist

Med-Medicine - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - ( 26006503 )

The Center for Antibody Therapeutics (CAT) within the Division of Infectious Diseases is seeking a Laboratory Research Specialist to support antibody discovery, engineering, characterization, and development programs. This position will contribute to molecular cloning, recombinant antibody expression and purification, flow cytometry-based characterization, and cell-based functional assays. The incumbent will work closely with faculty, scientists, and trainees to advance collaborative and externally funded research projects while maintaining high standards of laboratory operations, data quality, recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance.

Incumbent will perform molecular cloning and recombinant DNA techniques to generate and optimize antibody constructs, including plasmid preparation, sequence verification, and construct modification. Support antibody engineering activities through construct design, humanization, affinity maturation, and format optimization. Conduct recombinant antibody expression in bacterial and mammalian systems, maintain cell cultures, and perform transient transfections. Purify and characterize antibodies using Protein A/G chromatography, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and related biochemical assays. Perform flow cytometry-based binding, specificity, potency, receptor occupancy, and internalization assays, including data acquisition and analysis. Support antibody discovery and development projects by generating, analyzing, and documenting experimental data, preparing reports, figures, and summaries for investigators and sponsors. Maintain laboratory inventories, cell banks, reagents, and research records in accordance with established protocols and safety requirements. Assist with equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, ordering, and general laboratory operations. Collaborate with faculty, research staff, postdoctoral associates, and students to advance divisional research objectives and externally funded antibody therapeutic development programs.

Job Summary

Performs a variety of independent laboratory work and experiments such as determining experimental protocols and preparation of specimens and cultures. Prepares reports of findings subsequent to compilation and analyzation. Oversees specimen inventory. Develops documentation for publication; crafts manuscripts and grant proposals.

Essential Functions

Perform and document routine laboratory procedures and experiments while maintaining equipment, ensuring safety compliance, and supporting accurate, reliable research operations.

Physical Effort

Standing for extended periods, lifting and carrying equipment or supplies up to moderate weights, and performing repetitive hand and arm motions during laboratory procedures.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category

Full-time regular

Job Classification

Staff.Laboratory Research Technician III

Job Family

Research

Job Sub-Family

Laboratory

Campus

Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required

2

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience?

Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

Work Arrangement

On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range

TBD BasedUpon Qualifications

Relocation Offered

No

Visa Sponsorship Provided

Yes

Background Check

For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances Not Applicable

Not Applicable

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.