Research Technical Assistant

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Center (IN); On-site; USD 26,491 - 36,423; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Access to training and development programs

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading research institution in Indiana is seeking a Research Technical Assistant to provide support for scientific projects. This role involves various laboratory techniques including assay development, cell line culture, and data analysis. The ideal candidate has vocational training and experience in related disciplines, with a bachelor's degree in Biological or Chemical Science preferred. Join a collaborative environment to advance research on innate immunity and inflammation. This position offers competitive hourly pay with benefits.

Qualifications

• Vocational training, apprenticeships, or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Knowledge and skills developed through less than 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory organization, ordering and record-keeping.
• Assist in preparation of common reagents.
• Develop and perform assays.
• Establish and culture mammalian cell lines.
• Perform molecular cloning and PCR.
• Perform expression and purification of proteins.
• Perform cell biology imaging experiments.
• Collaborate and communicate with other lab members.
• Provide technical and administrative support in a lab.
• Collect and enter data; assist in data analysis and preparation of reports.

Skills

Laboratory organization

Assay development

Molecular cloning

Cell biology imaging

Data collection and analysis

Collaboration

Education

Vocational training or equivalent experience

Bachelor’s degree in Biological or Chemical Science (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

About the Department

BSD MIC – Chen Lab. The Jueqi Chen Research Lab, within the Department of Microbiology, focuses on the molecular mechanisms and functionalities of innate immunity and inflammation, utilizing diverse approaches in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and immunology. This at‑will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding that is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Job Summary

The Research Technical Assistant provides basic technical support activities related to scientific research projects. This position complies with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. In addition, the Research Technical Assistant assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

Responsibilities

• Performs laboratory organization, ordering, and record‑keeping.
• Assists in preparation of common reagents.
• Develops and performs assays.
• Establishes and cultures mammalian cell lines.
• Performs molecular cloning and PCR.
• Performs expression and purification of proteins.
• Performs cell biology imaging experiments (fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy).
• Performs work in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL‑2) conditions and animal facilities.
• Collaborates and communicates with other lab members.
• Provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment performing basic laboratory techniques, research and analysis under direction.
• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision.
• Collects and enters data; assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Complies with institution, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Vocational training, apprenticeships, or equivalent experience in a related field (four‑year degree is not typically required).
• Knowledge and skills developed through less than 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological or Chemical Science.
• Working experience in one of the following fields: molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, or microbiology.
• Knowledge of computers, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Working Conditions

• Lab environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Information

• Job Family: Research
• Role Impact: Individual Contributor
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Drug Test Required: No
• Health Screen Required: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required: No
• Pay Rate Type: Hourly
• FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt
• Pay Range: $19.23 – $26.44
• Benefits Eligible: Yes

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773‑702‑5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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