Research Technician II - Genetics

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

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 22 days vacation

Health insurance

Transit benefit (U-Pass)

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis in Saint Louis, MO invites applications for a research role in the Dougherty/Maloney Labs within Genetics and Psychiatry.

The position focuses on rodent behavioral and molecular analyses to study genetic risk for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including data collection and basic analyses. Responsibilities include breeding mice, conducting molecular assays, and assisting with new behavioral assays.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field.
• Rodent handling experience.
• The ideal candidate will have up to one year of experience in a laboratory setting.
• Experience with techniques such as qPCR and western blotting.
• Behavioral testing experience.
• Strong skills in scientific and critical thinking.
• Computer skills: proficient with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Basic wet lab skills such as pipetting.
• Rigorous laboratory record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Assists with research studies, experiments and assays, including data collection and setup of equipment.
• Performs data entry and maintains research data files.
• Prepares tissue cultures, reagents, and probe tests.
• Follows safety procedures and maintains documentation.
• Ensures lab conditions and equipment are cleaned and maintained.
• Assists with general lab maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Rodent handling

Behavioral testing

qPCR

Western blotting

Pipetting

Data recording

Laboratory record keeping

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in relevant field

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Summary

This is an exciting research opportunity in Dougherty/Maloney Labs in the Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry. We are seeking a motivated scientist to join our team! This position includes conducting rodent behavioral and molecular analyses as well as husbandry for NIH- and privately-funded projects aimed at understanding how genetic risk for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders alter brain development and behavior and identifying treatment strategies. The primary responsibilities of this role may include collecting behavioral data, conducting preliminary data analysis, breeding and maintaining experimental mouse lines, molecular assays for genotype determination, and transcript and protein quantification. Additional responsibilities and opportunities include statistical analysis and data interpretation and assisting the team to bring new behavioral assays online. The Dougherty and Maloney labs use genomics and experimental systems to define molecular mechanisms underlying genetic liability in psychiatric disease. This includes cutting edge molecular, genetic, behavioral, and bioinformatic techniques to study transcriptional and translational regulation and its dysregulation in psychiatric disease, and genetic variation in psychiatric diseases. We are primarily focused on autism, and the functional impact of distinct genetic liabilities of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., PMIDs: 34614421, 37426756 37370259). This position requires flexible hours as evening and weekend work may be required as needed on a study by study basis.

Location

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Job Description

Primary Duties & 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 data files on research.


• Prepares tissue cultures, reagents, probe tests, etc.


• 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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field.


• Rodent handling experience.


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


• Experience with techniques such as qPCR and western blotting.


• Behavioral testing experience.


• Strong skills in scientific and critical thinking.


• Computer skills: proficient with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.


• Basic wet lab skills such as pipetting.


• Rigorous laboratory record keeping.

Preferred Qualifications – Education

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Preferred Qualifications – Certifications

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

Preferred Qualifications – Work Experience

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

Preferred Qualifications – 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 email [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.