Senior Research Lab Technician - Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center in Richmond, VA seeks a Senior Research Lab Technician to support breast cancer and AML programs, performing cell culture, in vivo work, and data documentation under supervision of the PI and team.

Responsibilities include maintaining cell lines, running flow cytometry, handling mice under IACUC, and assisting with molecular assays, records, and inventory; strong organization and communication required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or related life science field (or equivalent experience).
• 2–3 years hands-on lab experience in mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry and data analysis (FlowJo).
• Hands-on mouse handling including injections, tumor implantation, breeding, and tissue collection; IACUC experience preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous record-keeping.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with lab safety and compliance in a research environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and expand cell lines and primary samples under sterile conditions.
• Design, execute, and analyze multi-color flow cytometry panels; coordinate cell sorting and apoptosis assays.
• Perfom mouse handling, tumor implantation, dosing, and tissue harvesting per IACUC protocols.
• Conduct molecular assays (Western blot, ELISA, qPCR) as needed to support projects.
• Maintain audit-ready notebooks and electronic records; ensure biosafety compliance.
• Order and manage lab supplies; train new members and rotation students.
• Assist with data organization and preparation of figures for meetings and reports.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Multi-parameter flow cytometry

Small animal handling

Record keeping

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related life science

Tools

FlowJo

Flow cytometer

Job description

Advertising Summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Ctr MBU

Department

Massey Research Support

Duties & Responsibilities

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Lab Technician to support the lab’s translational cancer research program focused on breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The position will assist with laboratory research and daily operations, including supporting in vitro and in vivo experiments, handling and monitoring laboratory animals, maintaining and organizing equipment and supplies, preparing specimens and laboratory materials, managing inventory, and documenting research data. The Senior Research Assistant will work closely with the PI, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and other laboratory staff, contributing both independently and collaboratively to the lab’s research efforts while providing general technical and logistical support.

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Core Responsibilities

• Cell Culture: Maintain and expand a range of breast cancer and AML cell lines, primary patient-derived samples, and stem/progenitor cultures under sterile conditions, including establishing and troubleshooting new cell culture systems.
• Flow Cytometry: Design, execute, and analyze multi-color flow cytometry panels for immunophenotyping, cancer stem cell marker analysis (e.g., ALDH, surface markers), cell sorting (FACS) coordination, and apoptosis/proliferation assays.
• Animal Handling: Perform routine handling, breeding colony maintenance, genotyping, tumor cell implantation (orthotopic/xenograft), treatment dosing, and tissue harvesting in mouse models of breast cancer and leukemia, in full compliance with IACUC protocols.
• Molecular & Biochemical Assays: Conduct Western blotting, ELISA, qPCR, immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, and standard molecular cloning as needed to support ongoing projects.
• Lab Records & Compliance: Maintain detailed, audit-ready laboratory notebooks and electronic records; ensure compliance with institutional biosafety, chemical hygiene, and animal welfare regulations.
• Lab Management: Order and manage laboratory supplies and reagents, maintain shared equipment, and assist with training of new lab members and rotation students.
• Data Support: Assist with data organization, figure preparation, and summarization of results for lab meetings, manuscripts, and grant progress reports.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or a related life science field or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience, with demonstrated proficiency in mammalian cell culture technique, including primary cell and cancer stem cell culture.
• Substantial experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry, including panel design, sample preparation, and data analysis (e.g., FlowJo).
• Direct, hands-on experience with small animal (mouse) handling, including injections, tumor implantation, breeding colony management, and tissue collection; prior IACUC protocol experience strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous record-keeping habits, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a cancer biology, hematology/oncology, or immunology research laboratory.
• Experience with cell sorting operation or coordination, ELISA/Western blotting, qPCR, or basic molecular cloning.
• Familiarity with xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models.
• Experience contributing to IACUC or IBC protocol preparation and renewal.

Salary Range

$50,000-$70,000

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status

Non-Exempt

Hours per Week

40

Restricted Position

Yes

ORP Eligible

No

Flexible Work Arrangement

Fully Onsite

University Job Title

3405S - Sr Lab/Research Technician Senior

Contact Information

Contact Name: Cheyenne Taylor

Contact Email: [e-mail]