Research Technician II - Cell Biology

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis invites applications for a Laboratory Technician to support ongoing neuroscience research in primary neuronal cell culture, molecular biology, and live-cell imaging.

The role offers hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to contribute to data analysis and scientific publications. The successful candidate will coordinate laboratory operations, perform data entry, maintain notebooks, and assist with experiments, animal dissections, plasmid

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• No specific work experience is required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Assists with research studies, experiments and assays, including collection of data, preparation of solutions and setup and maintenance of equipment.
• Performs data entry and maintains a detailed, organized laboratory notebook.
• Analyzes data using established laboratory methods and contributes to the preparation of figures and results for presentations and publications.
• Performs animal dissections to establish primary neuronal cultures.
• Performs bacterial transformations and plasmid preparations.
• Maintains laboratory reagent inventory, including preparing media and solutions, filtering, aliquoting, and sterilizing supplies.
• Maintains and transfects cell cultures to support research projects.
• Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
• Ensures lab conditions and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with general lab maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Detailed Reports

Laboratory Instrumentation

Laboratory Research

Software Program

Working Independently

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Location

ST. LOUIS, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

Candidate will support ongoing research through technical assistance with primary neuronal cell culture, molecular biology, live-cell imaging, and data analysis. This position is ideal for both someone preparing for graduate or medical school, or someone interested in career technician roles. It offers hands‑on research experience, mentorship, and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to neuroscience research.

Our lab investigates the interplay between energy metabolism and neurodegeneration using state‑of‑the‑art optical imaging techniques and high throughput assays. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, fully funded research team, help coordinate laboratory operations and contribute to research projects—from generating and analyzing data to preparing findings for scientific publication.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

For more information on the lab please visit https://ashrafilab.wustl.edu/.

• Assists with research studies, experiments and assays, including collection of data, preparation of solutions and setup and maintenance of equipment.
• Performs data entry and maintains a detailed, organized laboratory notebook.
• Analyzes data using established laboratory methods and contributes to the preparation of figures and results for presentations and publications.
• Performs animal dissections to establish primary neuronal cultures.
• Performs bacterial transformations and plasmid preparations.
• Maintains laboratory reagent inventory, including preparing media and solutions, filtering, aliquoting, and sterilizing supplies.
• Maintains and transfects cell cultures to support research projects.
• Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
• Ensures lab conditions and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with general lab maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
• The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver’s License:

A driver’s license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

The ideal candidate will have up to one year of experience in a laboratory setting.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Communication, Detailed Reports, Laboratory Instrumentation, Laboratory Research, Software Program, Working Independently

Grade

R06-H

Salary Range

$16.92 - $26.44 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one’s qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.