Research Technician

The faculty in MBM are united by a common interest in the biology of microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites) and the effects of microbes on human and animal hosts. The microbial pathogens program studies microorganisms that cause infectious diseases, with emphasis on rigorous analysis of these pathogens and the immune responses that restrict them. Program investigators direct detailed studies of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and eukaryotic parasites. Research topics include structural analysis of virus entry, viral evolution, viral oncogenes, intracellular bacterial pathogens, microorganisms that cause diarrhea and pneumonia, intracellular signaling, pathogen adhesion, genetic determinants involved in susceptibility to infection, vaccine development, and identification of novel antimicrobial agents.

Under close supervision of the principal investigator, other lab members, and senior scientists in collaborating labs who are familiar with the techniques required, the Research Technician will conduct a variety of experiments using a variety of skills. These will include using different mouse infection models with gram-negative bacterial pathogens as well as in vitro infection models to study the efficacy of therapeutics. Additional tasks may include culturing bacteria cells, making mesoscale and high-throughput measurements of treatment responses and synthesizing information from published literature to generate quantitative analysis, Some Python or Matlab programming may be required to employ in the development of machine learning algorithms. In these capacities, the Research Technician will also record test results and analyze data using statistics. Most of the work must be carried out in the Animal Facility (ABSL-2) and in biosafety cabinets. Work with mice is essential to this position and includes but is not limited to experimentation with the pathogenic bacterium multi-drug resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae such as pipetting and plating. The work for this project is highly collaborative.

Conduct routine experiments:

• Follow and design appropriate protocols/procedures to achieve results and test specific hypotheses.
• Perform techniques such as mouse infections, dissections, bacterial growth, drug treatment response profiling, mesoscale analysis, and molecular biology procedures.

Record results and assist with data analysis, including mathematical modeling and/or machine learning:

• Keep accurate records of experiments and results
• Perform data interpretation/summarization including writing custom code and application of analysis algorithms
• Communicate findings to PI and others on the project,
• Interact scientifically with lab mates
• Analyze quantitative data, interpret results, and assist lab members in writing materials for publication and presentation
• Help with laboratory operations (as all lab members do), including (but not limited to) assisting other lab members, and noting inventory, lab organization, and coordinating equipment repair

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through Bachelor degree in science or engineering with familiarity and some experience in mouse manipulation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Under supervision of the Principal Investigator, other lab members, the Research Technician should have the following skills to conduct a variety of experiments. These may include:
  • Mouse manipulations
  • Culturing bacterial cells
  • Making mesoscale and high-throughput measurements
  • Recording test results and analyze data using statistics
  • Some Python or MatLab skills for machine based learning may become necessary
• Consistent attention to detail and excellent organizational and communication skills are critical in this is a team based project.
• Knowledge of MS Office products, statistical/quantitative analysis and computation is necessary.
• Previous experience working with mice is highly desired.