Research Technician

The Department of Immunology maintains research programs that focus on translational and basic research in areas relevant to human disease. Our goal is to become a world-class center for the study of inflammation and the targeted development of novel therapeutics for both treatment and prevention of immune-mediated diseases.

We are seeking a Research Technician to support studies in T-cell immunology and autoimmunity. The lab focuses on (i) generating and stabilizing regulatory T (Treg) cells from effector CD4 T cells, (ii) dissecting epigenetic and metabolic pathways that govern Treg lineage stability and fitness (e.g., OXPHOS/heme biosynthesis), and (iii) testing antigen-specific Treg therapies in mouse models of multiple sclerosis (EAE).The position involves primary T-cell isolation and culture, differentiation assays (e.g., Treg/Th17), viral transduction and CRISPR/Cas9 perturbations, multi-color flow cytometry, mouse colony support and EAE studies (induction, clinical scoring, and tissue processing), and standard molecular biology (qPCR, cloning, Western blotting). The technician will keep accurate records, perform basic analyses (FlowJo, GraphPad Prism; optional R/Python), and help maintain lab operations and regulatory compliance. This role offers substantial hands-on training, authorship opportunities commensurate with contribution, and growth toward increasing independence. A two-year commitment is preferred.

• Conducts bench research experiments following appropriate protocols and procedures to achieve results
  
• Participates in animal experiments.
  
• Records results and maintains accurate records of experiments
  
• Performs limited data interpretation and assists with basic statistics and analysis
  
• Maintains laboratory equipment and orders/keeps inventory of supplies
  
• Prepares stock solutions, reagents and other media
  
• Participates in the weekly lab Journal Club

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through Bachelor's degree in Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or related field.
• Up to 1 year of relevant laboratory experience (including coursework labs); strong sterile technique and attention to detail.
• Comfort working with mice and willingness to perform animal procedures after training.
• Proficiency with basic molecular/biochemical techniques (pipetting accuracy, PCR, gel electrophoresis) and basic data analysis (Excel/Prism; maintaining an electronic lab notebook).
• Strong organizational and communication skills; reliability, initiative, and the ability to follow SOPs precisely.
• Ability to occasionally accommodate time-sensitive experiments (e.g., EAE scoring) outside standard hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with primary T-cell isolation and culture; Treg/Th17 polarization assays.
• Mouse handling and procedures (e.g., injections, EAE induction, clinical scoring, perfusion, tissue harvest).
• Flow cytometry (panel design, compensation, analysis in FlowJo) and/or FACS experience.
• CRISPR/Cas9 editing; lentiviral/retroviral vector cloning and transduction.
• qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, RNA isolation; basic cloning.
• Experience with data analysis tools (GraphPad Prism; optional R/Python) and figure preparation.
• Prior exposure to IACUC/IBC protocols and BSL-2 practices.
• Interest in a two-year commitment and growth toward semi-independent project ownership.