Research Technician II, Microbiology and Immunology

University at Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University at Buffalo's Department of Microbiology & Immunology invites applications for a Research Technician II to maintain, run, and develop LC-MS methods on a qTOF instrument in the Huang and Hunter labs. You will support experimental design, data collection, and contribute to publications.

The ideal candidate has hands-on microbiology/biochemistry experience and LC-MS expertise; additional skills in bacterial genetics, molecular biology, sequencing, and bioinformatics are a plus.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with microbiology, biochemistry, or bioengineering.
• Experience using a high-resolution LC-MS instrument (qTOF).
• Familiarity with bacterial genetics, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, sequencing or bioinformatics is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, run, and develop LC-MS methods on the qTOF instrument.
• Support lab functions and research needs; participate in experiments and analyses; contribute to publications.
• Collaborate on bacterial genetics, molecular cloning, cultivations, protein purifications, and -omics techniques as applicable.
• Lab environment emphasizes mentorship and career development.

Skills

LC-MS instrumentation

Microbiology lab techniques

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics basics

Bacteria/phage isolation

Education

Microbiology/biochemistry/bioengineering background

Tools

qTOF LC-MS instrument

Job description

The Research Technician II position is immediately available in the labs of Dr. Yolanda Huang and Dr. Ryan Hunter in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology.

About The Huang Lab

Research in the Huang lab focuses on uncovering novel pathways important for fitness in gut anaerobes and bacteria-phage interactions using interdisciplinary approaches. The overall goal is to advance our understanding of the gut microbiota at the molecular level by identifying mechanisms that we can leverage to modulate microbiota composition and function. We leverage cutting-edge techniques, including LC-MS/MS, genetics, DNA barcoding, next-gen sequencing, and functional genomics.

About The Hunter Lab

Research in the Hunter lab focuses on how the airway microenvironment shapes bacterial physiology during chronic infection. We are using LC-MS-based approaches to define how bacterial metabolomes and cell envelope composition respond to host-associated conditions and microbial interactions. This work integrates microbial genetics, anaerobe cultivation, and multi-omic analyses to uncover mechanisms that drive persistence and pathogenic behavior in chronic airway disease.

Responsibilities Of This Position Will Include

Maintaining, running, and developing methods for the LC-MS instrument qTOF, and supporting lab functions and research needs. The candidate will participate in the design and execution of experiments and/or computational analyses and is expected to contribute to publications. This may include bacterial genetics, molecular cloning, bacteria and phage cultivations (aerobic and anaerobic), protein, lipid, and cell wall purifications, bioinformatics, and various -omic techniques. The lab is committed to the success of all members and provides close mentorship and opportunities for research and career development.

The ideal candidate will have research experience in microbiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field, as well as hands‑on experience using a high‑resolution LC-MS instrument. Experience in any of the following areas would be an asset: bacteria and/or phage isolation and cultivation, microbial genetics, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, assay development, analytical chemistry (HPLC), sequencing, and bioinformatics.

Learn More

• Our benefits, where we prioritize your well‑being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.
• Being a part of the University at Buffalo community.

The Research Foundation of SUNY is an EOE and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with a disability.