Job Description

Summary

The candidate will perform research experiments in a wet lab. Responsibilities include assisting mouse surgeries, drug delivery, and tissue collection. Additionally, responsibilities may include cell culture, assays, qPCR, and Western blot. Significant prior experience in an academic research lab will be required. The ideal candidate can troubleshoot effectively. The candidate must be able to work independently with minimal supervision for some periods and also work effectively with a team during other periods.

Job Duties

• Monitors mice during studies to identify sick animals and provide palliative care.
• Performs surgical prep, anesthesia, post-operative care, CO2 euthanasia, collects blood, and dissects organs.
• Prepares and archives records of animal care and study data sheets.
• Performs in vivo drug delivery.
• Prepares and administers drugs (oral gavage, intranasal, retro-orbital, intra-peritoneal, and subcutaneous).
• Processes mouse specimens.
• Isolates plasma from blood, isolates cells from BALF, and processes tissues for isolation of protein, RNA, or DNA.
• Maintains accurate records of frozen tissues, histology, and processed samples.
• Cell and molecular biology research.
• May conduct cell culture, cell-based assays (oxidative stress, cell viability, senescence, apoptosis, proliferation), qPCR, Western Blot, and ELISA.
• May handle human cells and samples.
• Analyzes and interprets data.
• Graphs data with GraphPad Prism, interprets findings, presents results to team, and recommends future directions.
• Evaluates results and considers alternative approaches to improve experimental outcomes.
• Reviews scientific literature to recommend protocol changes, if needed.
• Packages biohazardous and chemical waste for disposal.
• Maintains lab equipment.
• Prepares & updates inventories.
• Monitors supplies for re-ordering.
• Performs other job related duties assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in basic science or a related field.
• At least two years of professional level experience in an academic research lab.
• Must have experience handling rodents.
• Internship experience or experience prior to attaining the qualifying degree is not considered eligible work experience for this job classification.
• Functional Competencies:
• • Proficiency in Microsoft suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Desired Attributes:
• • Experience with rodent injection and techniques.
• • Experience with rodent breeding and genotyping.
• • Some experience in qPCR, Western Blot, or assay work.
• • Learns fast, grasps the "essence" and can change course quickly when needed.
• • Effective communication skills and ability to work with a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment to accomplish goals
• • Ability to break down complex scientific challenges, identify root causes, and apply critical thinking to develop innovative solutions.
• • Ability to analyze data meticulously, interpret results accurately, and make informed decisions based on evidence.
• • Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems: to think logically, adapt to new information, and approach problems with a structured, methodical mindset.
• • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• • Ability to follow complex instructions and function with minimal supervision
• • Attitude of growth, willingness to learn new skills, and a commitment to process improvement.
• • Respects previously established lab protocols to ensure study reproducibility. Complies with lab systems (record-keeping and archiving of data) to ensure methodology, data, and samples can be retrieved from archives quickly.

Work Authorization Requirement:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.