Life Science Technician I

Stanfordlivetickets; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO days

Health benefits

Flexible work

Tuition assistance

403(b) plan

Mental health

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Stanford University is seeking a Life Science Technician to support the Svensson Lab in Pathology. You will assist with cAMP/calcium assays in neurons, cell culture, buffer prep, and routine lab operations under supervision.

Role offers exposure to peptide biology, neuroscience, and metabolism research in a dynamic, collaborative lab environment; strong records and safety practices are required.

Qualifications

• Experience with general laboratory techniques and basic cell biology techniques.
• Mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique experience.
• Ability to follow detailed protocols and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Cell-based signaling assays: perform cAMP and calcium assays in neurons per established protocols.
• Autoclaving, dishwashing, and buffer preparation to maintain a clean lab.
• Inventory management, order handling, and reagent preparation and documentation.
• Collaborate on preparation and aliquoting of reagents for experiments.

Skills

General lab techniques

Mammalian cell culture

Aseptic technique

Buffer preparation

Recordkeeping

Education

One year of college science or equivalent

Tools

Spectrophotometer

PCR machines

Light microscope

Cell counter

Autoclave

Fraction collector

Scintillation counter

Job description

This position is represented by SEIU Local 2007, and the collective bargaining agreement between the university and SEIU Local 2007 governs the terms and conditions of employment.

About the Department of Pathology

The Department of Pathology is a founding department of the Stanford School of Medicine and one of the leading departments in the United States. Our preeminent faculty spans from emerging leaders to highly accomplished physicians and scientists, including a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy. Our mission is to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and basic understanding of human disease. This is done through discovery (research), education, and clinical care.

You will be working with an unparalleled leading-edge community of faculty and staff that are fundamentally changing the world of health care. You will have the opportunity to influence and drive change with your innovative ideas, the ability to make a difference, and participate in human advancements. Our culture is fast-paced, energetic, and growing all of the time.

We offer a variety of benefits beyond traditional medical, dental, retirement, and savings options:

Events and programs for children, sports camps, tuition options

World-class intellectual stimulation through learning and development classes, workshops, and onsite conferences from leading-edge speakers and faculty

Work/life and family-friendly policies and reimbursement

Participation in Stanford’s social responsibility and sustainable programs for a better world

A vibrant university culture that values the uniqueness of each individual

We are seeking candidates who are progressive thinkers, see challenges as simply problems to solve, and have the spirit and energy to change the world.

About the Lab

The LST1 will work in the lab of Dr. Katrin Svensson in the Department of Pathology. The Svensson Lab studies how secreted peptides regulate physiology and disease. The lab discovers new bioactive peptides and defines how they act on their target cells and receptors to control feeding behavior, energy balance, and metabolism, with additional projects in neural circuits and cancer biology. Our work combines biochemistry, cell biology, neuroscience, and physiology, with the long-term goal of translating new peptide biology into therapies for obesity and metabolic disease. The lab is a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, and the LST1 will contribute directly to experiments that characterize how peptides signal in neurons.

About the Position

We are recruiting a Life Science Technician to support ongoing research activities in the Svensson Lab. The LST’s work involves performing cAMP and calcium assays in neurons, along with laboratory maintenance, buffer and reagent preparation, inventory management, and supporting established experimental protocols under supervision. Working as part of a multidisciplinary research team, the LST will assist laboratory members with routine technical procedures, preparation of laboratory materials and reagents, cell culture support activities, recordkeeping, and general laboratory operations under established protocols and supervision. Additional major responsibilities will include laboratory upkeep, inventory management, order processing, and maintaining a safe and organized laboratory environment. This position represents an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to peptide biology, neuroscience, and metabolism research in a dynamic research environment.

Duties Include

Cell-Based Signaling Assays: Perform cAMP and calcium assays in neurons following established protocols. Prepare cells, assay plates, and reagents, run assays on laboratory instruments, and accurately record raw data. Maintain neuronal cultures used for assays using aseptic technique.

Autoclaving and Dishwashing: Operate autoclave equipment to ensure the sterilization of laboratory tools, glassware, and other equipment. Conduct routine and systematic dishwashing to maintain a hygienic and organized laboratory workspace. Adhere to safety guidelines and protocols during autoclaving and dishwashing activities.

Buffer Preparation: Prepare laboratory buffers following established protocols to ensure accuracy and consistency. Measure and mix chemicals and reagents with precision to achieve the desired concentrations. Maintain detailed documentation of buffer preparation processes, including quantities, procedures, and any deviations.

Collaborate in the preparation and aliquoting of various reagents crucial for laboratory experiments

Order Handling and Documentation

Inventory Management

Desired Qualifications

Experience with general laboratory techniques, especially basic cell biology techniques (including mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, solution and reagent preparation, plate-based assays, etc.)

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, write by hand.
• Ability to stand and move on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.
• Occasionally lift and handle materials up to 20 pounds.
• Rarely carry/pull and/or push up to 20 pounds.
• Must have correctable vision to perform duties of the job.

Working Conditions

• Work occurs in a research laboratory environment. Depending on research, may work in the vicinity of animals, chemicals, gases, or hazardous materials. Expected to follow all safety requirements and procedures, including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required.

Responsibilities

Core Duties

• Very simple animal dissection such as removing a readily accessible organ, preparation before and assistance during surgery, administration of medication and post-surgery care.
• Histological procedures involving fixation of tissue and staining specimens with stains that do not require microscopic control in proceeding from step to step.
• Maintenance and transfer of established cell lines where the culture conditions are well defined.
• Biochemical assays (often colorimetric or spectrophotometric) of compounds or enzymatic activity using well-established procedures where the determination of any settings or adjustments is provided to the technician.
• Molecular biology assays (polymerase chain reaction, sequencing reactions) where the protocol is well established.
• Operation of instruments (e.g., spectrophotometer, fraction collector, scintillation counter, PCR machines, light microscope, cell counter) where the settings are simple or prescribed; techniques such as centrifugation (not involving density gradients) or limited black and white photography.
• Isolation, purification and maintenance of bacteria and basic manipulation of bacterial plasmids using well-established protocols; determination of the concentration of cells.
• Complete and accurate documentation of the work performed.

Minimum Education and Experience

One year’s employment experience in laboratory work or a combination of equivalent education and relevant work experience/training (e.g., one year of college science).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Work requires the ability to follow detailed instructions and keep accurate records.
• Pay Range 34.58-41.70
• Pay Frequency Hourly
• Fixed Term Y
• Stanford Schools and Units School of Medicine
• Full time or Part time Full Time
• Regular or Temporary Regular
• Job Category Bargaining Unit -TMS

Benefits that support you, and your future

• 18+ PTO days per year
• Health benefits start when you start
• Flexible work options
• $6000+ annual tuition and training assistance
• 403(b) plan
• Mental health and wellness programs
• Free and discounted commuter transportation
• Applies to regular full-time positions.

Notice to Applicants

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford University provides job pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a particular job. The specific pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic work location, relevant knowledge, skills and abilities, relevant education, years of relevant experience, depth and breadth of relevant experience, and performance; further including but not limited to other business and organization needs such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the minimum qualifications, departmental budget availability, and market and internal equity across the university, school/ unit, department, as well as job reporting relations.

Why work at Stanford

World-changing work in a culture of continuous learning

An inspiring community that values collaboration

High-quality health and wellness benefits that put you and your family first

Access to world-class education and career development, with tuition reimbursement, training assistance, and more