Research Technician II

Baylor College of Medicine; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Baylor College of Medicine's Bround Lab in Houston is seeking a Research Technician to support ongoing projects in mitochondrial biology, focusing on heart and muscle physiology. The role spans molecular, cellular, and animal model work, contributing to experiments and core lab operations.

The successful candidate will engage in in vivo heart and muscle studies, cell culture, and molecular assays, with emphasis on teamwork and meticulous lab practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field; four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• No experience required.
• Preferred: rodent animal husbandry or surgery experience; open to animal research and working with mice; experience particularly in biomedical research.

Responsibilities

• Learn animal surgery involving heart and muscle injury models.
• Perform animal-related studies including in vivo heart and muscle function studies (echocardiography, muscle force, perfusion) and tissue collection.
• Perform cell culture including maintaining/generating cell lines, live cell imaging, sample collection, primary cell isolation from heart and skeletal muscle.
• Perform molecular biology, mitochondrial isolation, western blot, qPCR, and biochemical assays.
• Conduct tissue sectioning, staining, microscopy, and histological data analysis.
• Order lab supplies, prepare reagents and stocks, and assist with core lab functions.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field

Job description

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Summary

The Bround Lab studies mitochondrial biology with an emphasis on heart and muscle physiology and disease. Mitochondria are important organelles which serve as the powerhouse and molecular forge of the cell, generating energy and building many key components that make up cells. The lab studies how cells communicate with mitochondria to coordinate energy production and maintain mitochondrial quality control, but also how mitochondria participate in cell death and disease. The Bround lab utilizes molecular biology, cell biology, and animal physiology experiments to study mitochondrial function from the protein level to the whole organism level. We are interested in learning how to maximize mitochondrial function in health and how to prevent mitochondria-dependent cell death in heart disease, muscular dystrophy, and Alzheimer's disease.

The Bround Lab is looking for a Research Technician to participate in ongoing research programs and assist with core laboratory functions. The lab works on molecular, cellular, and animal models, and a Research Technician would participate in all facets of this research.

Job Duties

• Open to learning Animal surgery that includes heart and muscle injury models.
• Performs animal-related studies that includes in vivo heart and muscle function studies such as echocardiography and muscle force experiments, tissue perfusions experiments, and tissue collection.
• Performs cell culture that maintaining and generating cell lines, live cell imaging, sample collection, primary cell isolation from heart and skeletal muscle.
• Performs molecular biology, mitochondrial isolation, western blot experiments, qPCR experiments, biochemical assays.
• Conducts tissue sectioning, staining, microscopy, histological data analysis.
• Orders lab, prepares common reagents and stocks, and assists with core lab functions.
• Peforms other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rodent animal husbandry or surgery is a strong plus.
• Must be open to animal research and working with mice.
• Experience particularly in biomedical research.

Work Authorization Requirement:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty, and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care. Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.