Research/Lab Technician – Dr. Dunpeng Cai Lab

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 20,664 - 24,796; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Paid parental leave

Paid caregiver leave

Educational discounts

Job summary

University of Missouri School of Medicine's Department of Surgery is seeking a Research Technician to join the Dunpeng Cai, PhD laboratory. The role supports translational cardiovascular research on vascular and heart valve diseases, using molecular biology, imaging, and animal models.

Responsibilities include experiments, data management, mouse breeding, PCR-based genotyping, ultrasound imaging, histology, and preparing reports, with a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or an equivalent combination of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments according to established protocols and maintain accurate laboratory records.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and manage experimental data.
• Maintain mouse colonies, coordinate breeding, and perform PCR-based genotyping.
• Assist with animal experiments, tissue collection, physiological assessments, and ultrasound imaging.
• Perform DNA, RNA, protein extraction; PCR/qPCR; Western blotting; immunostaining.
• Maintain primary vascular cell cultures and established cell lines.
• Process vascular and cardiac tissues for histology and immunohistochemistry.
• Prepare reagents, media, buffers, and other lab supplies.
• Assist with preparing research reports, figures, presentations, and manuscripts.
• Maintain lab inventories, equipment, and a clean, safe environment.
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of waste and compliance with regulations.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Data management

Laboratory record keeping

Education

High school diploma

Tools

PCR-based genotyping

Ultrasound imaging

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Surgery at the University of Missouri School of Medicine is seeking a motivated, dependable, and detail-oriented Research Technician to join the laboratory of Dunpeng Cai, PhD.

The Cai Laboratory conducts translational cardiovascular research focused on understanding and treating vascular and heart valve diseases. Major research areas include Marfan syndrome and other inherited aortic diseases, thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm and dissection, atherosclerosis, vascular remodeling, and calcific aortic valve disease. Current projects integrate molecular and cellular biology, advanced imaging, genetically engineered animal models and human vascular cells and tissues.

Responsibilities

• Conducting experiments according to established protocols and maintaining accurate laboratory records
• Collecting, organizing, analyzing, and managing experimental data
• Maintaining mouse colonies, coordinating breeding, and performing PCR-based genotyping
• Assisting with animal experiments, tissue collection, physiological assessments, and ultrasound imaging
• Performing molecular and cellular biology techniques, including DNA, RNA, and protein extraction; PCR and qPCR; Western blotting; immunostaining; and related assays
• Maintaining primary vascular cell cultures and established cell lines
• Processing vascular and cardiac tissues and performing histological and immunohistochemical analyses
• Preparing reagents, media, buffers, and other laboratory supplies
• Assisting with the preparation of research reports, figures, presentations, and manuscripts
• Maintaining laboratory inventories, equipment, and a clean and safe research environment
• Ensuring proper handling and disposal of biological and chemical waste and compliance with institutional laboratory and animal-research requirements

Minimum Qualifications

A high school diploma or an equivalent combination of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $15.00 - $18.00 hourly

Grade

GGS - 004

University Title

RESEARCH/LAB TECHNICIAN

Shift

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Application Materials

In addition to the Online Application, please provide Resume and cover letter.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

• medical
• dental and vision plans
• retirement
• paid time off
• short- and long-term disability
• paid parental leave
• paid caregiver leave
• educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses

As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.