Research Technician

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,307 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Chevrier Lab seeks a Research Technician with interest in computational or experimental biology to collaborate with the PI, lab staff, and trainees. You will contribute to mammalian immune system research, including molecular biology, sequencing-based measurements, and genomics pipelines, in a supportive team setting.

The role involves bench work, potential computational tasks, data documentation and interpretation, and helping train new lab members while ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the research; Master's or Ph.D. preferred.
• 2–5 years of related lab/research experience.
• Wet lab experience in a research setting; independent project experience preferred.
• Academic/lab research environment experience; independent projects advantageous.
• Vocational training or equivalent acceptable; four-year degree not strictly required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and assist with complex technical duties in a lab doing clinical and non-clinical research.
• Carry out small independent projects and basic bench experiments and/or computational work.
• Document, compile, and interpret data; adjust experimental protocols as needed.
• Report data to supervisor and team; attend meetings to share results and plan projects.

Job description

Job Summary

The Chevrier Lab is seeking a Research Technician with a background and interest in computational or experimental biology who will work collaboratively with the Principal Investigator, lab staff and trainees. Under general supervision, the incumbent provides routine or standardized laboratory research-related duties and tasks, including developing experimental approaches to investigate the mammalian immune system with an emphasis on (1) basic molecular biology, cloning, and cellular immunology techniques in vitro and in vivo; (2) next‑generation sequencing‑based technologies to perform genome‑scale measurements of gene expression or other parameters; and (3) the development and maintenance of lab pipelines for genomics profiling, histology analysis, and automated liquid handling setups.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and/or helps with complex technical duties in a laboratory doing non‑clinical as well as clinical research.
• Carries out small independent projects as well as basic bench‑level experiments and techniques and/or computational work.
• Documents, compiles, and assists with interpreting experimental data and adjusting experimental protocols.
• Reports data to the supervisor and team, attends team meetings to share results, plan projects and experiments, and ensures that projects support current team goals.
• Consults with other scientists or scientific literature as needed.
• Assists with training new lab members and interns.
• Assists in maintaining an organized lab space and inventory of laboratory supplies, for example maintaining stock of reagents.
• Interacts with vendors to address equipment, reagent, or supply solutions, including working with all levels of staff to evaluate new equipment.
• Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• 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.
• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens, conducts literature reviews, and assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Assists with installation, setup, and performance of experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
• May assist recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Is developing skills in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the research being conducted (a Master's or Ph.D. is preferred).
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Background conducting wet lab work in a research laboratory, preferably with independent project experience.
• Background working within an academic and laboratory research environment, preferably with independent project experience.
• Vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in a related field is acceptable; a four‑year degree is not required.

Technical Skills or Knowledge

• Familiarity with basic molecular biology techniques, sterile techniques, and operation of standard lab equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with mouse husbandry and extraction of tissues.
• Familiarity with coding in R, Unix, Python, and/or other programming languages is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with next‑generation sequencing data is a plus.
• Knowledge of immunology is a plus, or a desire to learn.
• Basic computer proficiency, including computer programs used in laboratory research.
• For experimental candidates, knowledge of research techniques or methods for basic molecular biology and sterile techniques.
• For computational candidates, knowledge of basic programming in a few coding languages.
• Knowledge of relevant scientific field.
• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with first‑principles simulation techniques.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated problem‑solving, organization, analytical and coordination skills including attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to read and comprehend scientific and technical literature, and methods to stay abreast of developments in the field.
• Work independently and collaboratively with other lab personnel.
• Assist in training lab personnel.

Working Conditions

• Laboratory environment.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Rate: Hourly
Pay Range: $22.00 – $25.00 per hour

Benefits Eligible: Yes. 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.

Accommodation Statement

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.

Background Check

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.

Contact

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.