Research Technologist 3

Department: MCC Master of Biotechnology Pr
Salary/Grade: NEX/13

Job Summary:

Participates in the design and execution of teaching lab projects. Conducts experiments and analyzes data. Review and revise existing research methodologies and develop new methodologies for the lab courses. Ensure overall lab compliance with university guidance and regulations.

Perform the functions of teaching lab assistant and course manager for laboratory courses. Onboard and train course assistants and serve as an educational resource for students. Coordinate daily operations of the teaching laboratory and work with equipment such as bench scale bioreactors, tangential flow filtration systems, centrifuges, qPCR machines, plate readers, metabolite analyzer, automated western blot, flow cytometer, and chromatography systems. Develop new experiments and protocols for the lab courses. Perform scientific literature searches and synthesize literature information. Implement and manage e-notebooks, statistical software, laboratory information systems, and digital platforms for data analytics. Manage cell banks, supplies, and inventory, and coordinate usage of lab equipment. Ensure compliance with the University's lab safety guidelines of all lab personnel and facilities, maintain the necessary safety documentation, and function as the lab safety designate. Manage the lab budget. Collaborate with core facilities and other partners. Assist with educational research and course development projects and co-author scientific manuscripts. Interact with facilities management, program staff, and other administrative units as needed.

This is a one-year termed position with an opportunity for renewal based on performance.

Please note: Some tasks in this position will require work during the evening and occasional weekend, outside of regular business hours.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Following overall project objectives, independently designs, plans, conducts, and troubleshoots experiments.
• Evaluate protocols and data obtained from groups of experiments and recommend changes to processes, procedures, and techniques to improve the quality and validity of results based on overall project objectives.
• Act as teaching assistant and course manager for laboratory courses.
• Ensure lab personnel are compliant with NU safety guidelines.
• Develop new &/or revised experiments for laboratory courses.
• Ensure smooth operation of all laboratory equipment.
• Manage electronic lab notebooks and scientific software
• Manage master and working cell banks and periodically check viability and productivity.
• An advanced level in many of the stated skills is required:

Molecular Biology:

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

Cell Biology:

• Mammalian and bacterial cell culture, cell line screening, automated cell counting, and transduction
• Cell banking
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Bioreactor operation
• Tangential flow filtration
• Chromatography
• Centrifugation
• Metabolite analysis

Other (please specify):

• Optical microscopy, flow cytometry
• SiRNA and CRISPR methods.
• Statistical methods and data analytics tools.

Administration

• Observe experiments, collect, record, summarize, analyze, interpret data, and draw scientific conclusions.
• Develop new experiments. Collaborate with other labs and core facilities to develop new experimental modules.
• Co-authors scientific papers.
• Assist with education research and course development projects.
• Oversee the operation of the teaching laboratory.
• Train and onboard new teaching assistants and students on a regular basis.
• Coordinate collaborations with core facilities within or outside NU to develop experiments for the lab courses.
• Work with the relevant units on administrative matters.

Finance

• Negotiates purchases with vendors.
• Tracks and summarizes lab supply expenses.
• Orders and/or maintains inventory of reagents, and/or lab supplies.
• Oversees laboratory supply and inventory.
• Negotiates rates for the use of core facilities.
• Work with the relevant units on lab budget matters.

Supervision

• Trains and directs other lab EEs and students in research techniques and procedures.
• Assign duties to teaching assistants in consultation with faculty members. Mentor new teaching assistants and be an educational resource for them.
• Manage work-study and temporary workers in the lab.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in a basic sciences or engineering and 3 years' experience; or 5 years practical lab/bench experience; or an MS in a basic science or engineering and 1 year experience is required.
• Must complete NU's safety training before starting experiments.
• Must complete NU's financial services training before starting to manage lab finances.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Experience in mammalian and bacterial cell culture, and a wide variety of molecular biology and bioprocess engineering lab skills. Knowledge in data analysis and documentation using MS Office. Awareness of academic safety compliance. Ability to successfully work with students, course assistants, and external partners and course instructors.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent project and time management skills.
• Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills with a strong commitment to deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work experience in a biological sciences or engineering or related laboratory.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Exposure to good laboratory practices, experience in using electronic lab notebooks, and experience in mentoring students and student workers.
• Familiarity with statistical and big data analytics tools and digital platforms.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $23.20 - $32.62 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, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! 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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

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