Research Technologist - Life Sciences Advance Professional - Bordenstein Lab

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Bordenstein Laboratory seeks a Research Technologist (Advanced Professional) to design, implement, analyze, and report rigorous research on host–microbe symbioses and microbiome sciences. The role emphasizes Drosophila transgenic expression, genetic editing, fitness assays, dissections, and microscopy.

Responsibilities include independent experimental design, protocol development, data analysis, and coauthoring papers, grants, and presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
• Required Certifications: None

Responsibilities

• Independent experimental design, implementation, analysis, time management, and reporting.
• Preparation and adherence to new scientific protocols, specimen evaluation, and biostatistics.
• Coauthorship of scientific papers, grants, presentations, and summary reports.
• Contribution to research methods, solutions, and technical approaches for problem solving.
• Data collection, data analysis, statistics, and visualizations.
• Management of trainees for molecular biology skills, biosafety measures, lab policies, equipment, proper record keeping, organismal maintenance, and performance review.
• Various experimental tasks including insect handling, tissue dissections, staining, fluorescent microscopy, microinjections, protein biology, biochemistry, and genotyping/qPCR.

Skills

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Team management

Data collection

Data analysis

Statistics

Visualization

Education

Bachelor's Degree

3+ years of relevant experience

Tools

PCR

qPCR

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Bordenstein Laboratory in Penn State University's Departments of Biology and Entomology and One Health Microbiome Center seeks a Research Technologist (Advanced Professional) to design, implement, support, analyze, and report on rigorous research in host-microbe symbioses and the microbiome sciences spanning insect endosymbionts, bacteriophages, and various animal-associated microbiomes.

This position will heavily focus on the use of Drosophila transgenic expression, genetic editing techniques, fitness assays, reproductive tissue dissections, fluorescent and electron microscopy, and team management to understand the genetics and mechanisms of how endosymbiotic bacteria ( Wolbachia ) modify reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster.

The successful candidate will have priority tasks in the following areas:

• Independent experimental design, implementation, analysis, time management, and reporting
• Preparation and adherence to new scientific protocols, specimen evaluation, and biostatistics
• Coauthorship of scientific papers, grants, presentations, and summary reports
• Contribution to research methods, solutions, and technical approaches for problem solving
• Data collection, data analysis, statistics, and visualizations
• Management of trainees for molecular biology skills, biosafety measures, lab policies, equipment, proper record keeping, organismal maintenance, and performance review
• Various experimental tasks, including but not limited to insect handling, tissue dissections, biological marker staining, fluorescent microscopy, microinjections, protein biology, biochemistry, and genotyping and quantification of insect and symbiont cells using PCR and qPCR
• Daily handling and maintenance of laboratory insect colonies at the scale of hundreds to thousands of insects per day
• Troubleshooting of emergencies, day-to-day questions by lab members, and laboratory scheduling
• Assistance of lab management and ongoing entomology, microbiology, molecular biology experiments, as assigned
• Maintenance of a welcoming, safe, and professional environment adherent to lab expectations

Excellent problem-solving, interpersonal, organizational, communication, and documentation skills are essential. The successful candidate must be able to work within a team environment and demonstrate a genuine appreciation in working, leading, and managing diverse audiences.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications:

None

Additional Information:

Application materials should include a single pdf with:

• (i) a cover letter summarizing relevant experience and reasons for interest in the job
• (ii) a CV that includes contact information for at least three references (name, position, telephone number, and e-mail address)
• (iii) full length and first-authored works of research spanning papers, reports, posters, and presentations for a complete review of scholarship; the portfolio may be unpublished and not biology related

This position is funded for 12 months from date of hire with possibility of re-funding, pending review of performance. Please contact [e-mail] for additional information.

Community:

Pennsylvania State University is a Land-Grant university located in central Pennsylvania. State College and the surrounding communities are home to approximately 100,000 people, including over 45,000 students. The area is known for its highly ranked livability, access to nature spanning beautiful mountains, streams, and parks, and superb recreational opportunities and sports. State College has an excellent school system and offers a multitude of cultural events.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENE