Job Abstract

The Department of Surgery in the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia seeks a Lab and Research Technician 2 or Lab Specialist to work in a laboratory doing translational cancer immunology research.  Level will be determined by qualifications.

Lab and Research Technician 2 employees provide increasingly complex technical support for projects and may engage in increasingly complex scientific experiments. May handle more sophisticated administrative and logistical tasks. Lab and Research Technician 2 employees operate under supervision with a degree of independence when following set protocols and procedures.

Lab Specialist employees provide technical lab support by performing complex lab and research related tasks. They act as specialists on research methods and equipment functions specific to investigations. They have the authority to adapt methods and procedures to meet the needs of research. They are distinguished from Lab Technicians by the types and duration of assignments, as well as the skills and expertise necessary to serve as resources on non-routine problems. Lab Specialist employees perform daily activities without supervision; their longer-term assignments require greater oversight. Lab Specialist employees often train others on work processes and policies.

Job responsibilities include:

• Specialize in lab and/or other research methods and equipment functions specific to Principal Investigators and/or labs. Demonstrate expertise in troubleshooting problems and recommending solutions. Perform a variety of tests requiring high degree of proficiency.
• Assist in evaluation of research methods, procedures, and techniques based on established objectives.
• Key laboratory techniques to be performed will include tissue culture, T lymphocyte culture and stimulation, flow cytometry and cell sorting, PCR, DNA and RNA extractions, ELISA assays, cell purification using beads, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and other molecular studies.
• May perform research in mouse models.
• Provide basic assistance to researchers in manipulating, computing, and analyzing data using specialized computer software. Evaluate experiment results using statistical tests. Research, compile, and maintain data reports.
• Perform library and literature research.
• Assist in instructing lab academic sections in lab methods, procedures, and safety.
• Explain work instructions and may adapt general methods and procedures in order to meet the needs of the research.
• Assist in training other staff members on procedures.
• Assist in manuscript writing.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

For additional information about the position, please contact Craig Slingluff, MD (cls8h@uvahealth.org) or Ileana Mauldin, PhD (is3v@uvahealth.org).

Minimum Requirements for Lab and Research Tech 2:

• Education: Associate's degree.  Bachelor’s degree in science or related field preferred.
• Experience: At least two years of lab experience, which may include student experience.  Bachelor's degree in related science will be considered in lieu of experience.
• Preferred experience and expertise in human cellular immunology, flow cytometry, immunology (especially cancer immunology), murine studies, analysis of gene expression data, programming in R or Python, and molecular analyses.

Minimum Requirements for Lab Specialist:

• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Experience: 3 years of experience. 6 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• Preferred experience and expertise in human cellular immunology, flow cytometry, immunology (especially cancer immunology), murine studies, analysis of gene expression data, programming in R or Python, and molecular analyses.

This position will remain open until filled.  This is a non-exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA. 

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.  A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position.

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA job board, and search for R0061880. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searchinFind Jobs'.   Complete an application online with the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (CV)

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Recruiter, at sxv9zv@virginia.edu.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.