Bioheat and Mass Trasfer Lab Rsch Pro 1-Analytical Chem

This is a one-year temporary posted position.

*About the Job
This position supports a highly collaborative effort co-led by Professor John Bischof (Mechanical Engineering) and Professor Erik Finger (Surgery) working on cutting-edge research to enable long-term cryopreserved storage of transplant organs and tissues. This position is ideal for someone looking to gain research experience prior to graduate or medical school.

Primary areas of activity will include coating and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles (support of existing and new method development) used in rewarming cryopreserved biomaterials, preparing cold storage and cryoprotective solutions, documenting and maintaining protocols, data acquisition and reporting, and general experimental support. The technician will contribute across multiple research projects. Opportunities for independent projects and contributions to publications may exist for high-performing candidates. The technician will work directly under the mentorship of a Chemistry Postdoc Researcher, along with lab PIs.

Background: Transplantation, regenerative medicine, and cell-based therapies are rapidly developing areas of research that offer great potential for improving human health. However, one of the greatest barriers to translation is the inability to apply these therapies when and where they are needed. Ex vivo biological systems have a limited shelf-life. Donor transplant organs and tissues only remain viable for hours. Engineered cells and tissues can be cultured, but typically with great effort, cost, and limited ability to transport prior to treatment. The ability to cryopreserve organs, tissues, and cells and provide them "on-demand" would transform how these lifesaving therapies are applied. The labs of Professors John Bischof (Mechanical Engineering) and Erik Finger (Surgery) through the UMN Organ and Tissue Preservation Center and NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Advanced Technologies for the Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio), are looking for a motivated research technician to contribute towards making this a reality. We have recently published on our ability to cryopreserve and rewarm (rat) organs with maintenance of viability and function (Han and Rao et al. Nature Comm 2023) and the capability of cryopreserved islets to enable a cure for diabetes (Zhan and Rao et al. 2022). We plan to continue developing these approaches towards clinical scale and translation over the next several years, through support from three NIH R01s, the NSF ERC ATP-Bio, and several other awards. This includes work in transplant kidneys; transplant livers and liver cells and tissues; pancreatic islets; reproductive organs; hearts and cardiac systems; and many other developing applications. This is a highly collaborative effort providing extensive opportunities for training, networking, and mentorship for graduate school, medical school, or industry.

Specifically, this research technician position will be responsible for preparing and characterizing solutions used in cryopreserving organs and synthesizing, functionalizing, purifying, and characterizing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles used in rewarming of cryopreserved organs. This role will provide hands-on experience with a wide range of organic and analytical chemistry techniques. This work will be conducted based on existing protocols under the mentorship of an experienced chemistry postdoctoral researcher, with the opportunity to conduct more independent and exploratory work based on interest and experience.

*Duties/responsibilities:
25% - Preparation of complex solutions with standard analytical techniques (aqueous w/ amphiphilic organics)
25% - Coating, purification, and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles
20% - Other characterization studies
10% - SOPs, data summaries, and reporting
10% - General lab maintenance (cleaning, ordering, waste removal, forms/organization).
10% - Meetings

*Required qualifications:
-BA/BS degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, or related field OR a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least four years.
-Experience working in a university or industrial wet lab
-Strong communication skills
-Competence with Microsoft Office Suite
-Desire to work as a member of a highly collaborative team

*Preferred qualifications:
-Synthesis, purification, and characterization of nanoparticles and/or polymers
-Organic synthesis, and/or small molecule synthesis (distillation, biphasic separations, column chromatography, recrystallization, filtration)
-Organic and analytical chemistry characterization techniques. Including: pH balancing, osmometry, lyophilization, TEM, UV-vis, FTIR, NMR (and solid state), HPLC, DLS/Zeta, TGA
-Microscopy and/or biological assays
-Working with biological systems (cell or tissue culture)
-Data processing and statistical analysis
-Presenting technical and scientific data
-Maintaining and organizing lab space

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an internationally recognized faculty, and is part of the College of Science and Engineering, the highly interdisciplinary college of engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics.

Pay Range: $20.92/ hour - $24.04/ hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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