Senior Research Lab Technician - Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition and retirement benefits

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center in Richmond seeks a Senior Research Lab Technician to support translational cancer research focused on breast cancer and AML. You will assist with in vitro and in vivo experiments, animal handling, and daily lab operations.

The role works closely with the PI and lab staff, maintains records, orders supplies, and supports data preparation for meetings, manuscripts, and grants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related life science field.
• 2–3 years hands-on lab experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Substantial experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry and data analysis.
• Direct experience with small animal (mouse) handling; IACUC protocol familiarity preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous record-keeping; ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and expand breast cancer and AML cell lines, and primary samples under sterile conditions.
• Design, execute, and analyze flow cytometry panels and related assays.
• Handle mice, perform tumor implantation and tissue collection following IACUC protocols.
• Conduct Western blotting, ELISA, qPCR, and imaging assays as needed.
• Maintain audit-ready lab notebooks and electronic records; manage supplies and equipment.
• Prepare data, figures, and summaries for lab meetings, manuscripts, and grant reports.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Flow cytometry

Mouse handling

Lab management

Data organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Cell Biology/Immunology/Biochemistry or related life sciences

Tools

FACS/flow cytometer

qPCR

Western blotting

ELISA

Immunohistochemistry

Job description

Advertising Summary:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located inthe heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’ssponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationallyrecognized for patient care and education. Virginia CommonwealthUniversity 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 tosupport the lab’s translational cancer research program focused onbreast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The position willassist with laboratory research and daily operations, includingsupporting in vitro and in vivo experiments, handling andmonitoring laboratory animals, maintaining and organizing equipmentand supplies, preparing specimens and laboratory materials,managing inventory, and documenting research data. The SeniorResearch Assistant will work closely with the PI, postdoctoralfellows, graduate students, and other laboratory staff,contributing both independently and collaboratively to the lab’sresearch efforts while providing general technical and logisticalsupport. This is a restricted position with no set end date; continuedemployment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding,and performance.

Core Responsibilities:

• Cell Culture: Maintain and expand a range of breastcancer and AML cell lines, primary patient-derived samples, andstem/progenitor cultures under sterile conditions, includingestablishing and troubleshooting new cell culture systems.
• Flow Cytometry: Design, execute, and analyze multi-colorflow cytometry panels for immunophenotyping, cancer stem cellmarker analysis (e.g., ALDH, surface markers), cell sorting (FACS)coordination, and apoptosis/proliferation assays.
• Animal Handling: Perform routine handling, breedingcolony maintenance, genotyping, tumor cell implantation(orthotopic/xenograft), treatment dosing, and tissue harvesting inmouse models of breast cancer and leukemia, in full compliance withIACUC protocols.
• Molecular & Biochemical Assays: Conduct Westernblotting, ELISA, qPCR, immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, andstandard molecular cloning as needed to support ongoingprojects.
• Lab Records & Compliance: Maintain detailed,audit-ready laboratory notebooks and electronic records; ensurecompliance with institutional biosafety, chemical hygiene, andanimal welfare regulations.
• Lab Management: Order and manage laboratory supplies andreagents, maintain shared equipment, and assist with training ofnew lab members and rotation students.
• Data Support: Assist with data organization, figurepreparation, 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 equivalentexperience.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience, withdemonstrated 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 colonymanagement, and tissue collection; prior IACUC protocol experiencestrongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous record-keepinghabits, with the ability to work independently and manage multipleconcurrent projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with theability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary researchteam.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment ofrespect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or acommitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a cancer biology, hematology/oncology, orimmunology 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 preparationand renewal.

Salary Range:

$50,000-$70,000

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible forVCU’s robust benefitspackage that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annualand holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planningand savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunitiesfor 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 TechnicianSenior

Contact Information:

Contact Name: CheyenneTaylor

Contact Email: [e-mail]