Senior Research Technologist, Pulmonary

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 37,195 - 48,216; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition benefits

Retirement savings options

Job summary

Northwestern University is seeking a highly skilled lab specialist to conduct complex experimental research in a Pulmonary/MED lab setting. You will act as a technical expert, manage protocols, and coordinate multiple experiments across molecular, cellular, histology, immunology, and animal work.

Responsibilities include reviewing results, refining protocols, maintaining lab databases, and generating reports for publications and grants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a scientific field with related lab experience.
• Experience in complex experimental research and lab protocol development.
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and ensure compliance.

Responsibilities

• Acts as technical expert and coordinates conduct of multiple complex experiments.
• Reviews results and revises protocols to meet project objectives.
• Establishes and optimizes protocols in molecular biology workflows.
• Performs cell culture, isolation, and functional studies.
• Conducts histology tasks including tissue processing and immunohistochemistry.
• Performs flow cytometry, ELISA and antibody-related assays.
• Oversees animal work including breeding, dissections, and sample collection.
• Maintains lab databases, analyzes data, and prepares reports for publications.
• Contributes to budgeting, purchasing, and equipment maintenance.
• Trains and supervises lab personnel.

Skills

DNA isolation

PCR

Cell culture

Histology techniques

Flow cytometry

Data analysis

Surgical procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Master's degree in science

Tools

PCR equipment

Microscopy

Cytometer

Job description

Department: MED-Pulmonary
Salary/Grade: NEX/15

Job Summary

Conducts complex experimental research in a research lab, functioning as a specialist or technical expert. May manage one or more phase(s) of a major project(s) or all activities of a small project. May ensure overall lab compliance with all associated rules and regulations.

Specific Responsibilities

• Acting as a technical expert or specialist in a particular field within a research lab, establishes and optimizes protocols and coordinates conduct of multiple complex experiments.
• Reviews results and revises protocols as necessary to ensure that project objectives are attained.
• Using an expert level of skill, completes the following activities:

Molecular Biology

• DNA, RNA, Protein isolation, purification and expression
• Southern, Northern, Western blotting
• PCR, RT-PCR
• Plasmid preparation
• Cloning, mapping and sequencing of DNA
• Recombinant virus production and purification

Cellular Biology

• Cell culture, cell isolation
• Functional studies
• Transfection

Histology

• Tissue fixation/processing: embedding, preparation of blocks and sectioning, staining
• Immunohistochemistry
• Microscopy

Immunology

• Flow cytometry
• ELISA, Elispot assay
• Cytokine assay
• Antibody production and purification

Animal

• Husbandry
• Breeding and screening transgenic mice
• Dissections
• Blood collection
• Surgical procedures
• Database management of colony

Administration

• Oversees and manages lab databases which may include ensuring that experiments are observed and that data is collected and entered correctly.
• Reviews and analyzes data.
• Creates computer models, graphs, reports and summaries for use in publications, professional journals, and grant applications.
• Co-authors scientific papers for presentation and publication.
• Researches and obtains funding.
• Creates and maintains lab manuals regarding operating, safety, and etc. procedures.

Finance

• Creates lab financial plan and budget/audit expenses.
• Obtains sales quotes for lab equipment and supplies.
• Reviews and adjusts expenses to decrease costs.
• Oversees repair and maintenance of all lab equipment.
• Ensures that lab supplies are ready and available when necessary.

Supervision

• Trains, directs, assigns duties to and may supervise lab EEs, students, residents and/or fellows.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 5 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $27.06 - 34.88 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non‑discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.