Position Summary:
The successful candidate will work on an NIH-funded project that aims to understand how the single-cell thick layer of epithelial cells lining the intestine use membrane glycosphingolipids to sense invasion by enterotoxins or enteric viruses and innately defend themselves against infection. The mechanism of host defense involves down regulation of the apical endosome entry pathway – a new concept in innate mucosal host defense (for background see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35143768).

Interest in a scientific career is required with established skills in several of these areas: SDS-PAGE and Western blot, protein expression and purification, chemistry, FACS analysis, cell culture, stable and transient cell transfection, molecular biology, plasmid preparation, mice husbandry, in vivo mouse experimentation, confocal light microscopy, and laboratory book management.

Key Responsibilities:

• According to prescribed protocols and assigned schedules, performs a variety of routine laboratory experiments and procedures, utilizing standard laboratory equipment, recording and checking results for completeness and accuracy.
• Assists in troubleshooting procedures if experimental results are unexpected or quality of specimens is poor.
• Performs the following techniques typically required for the laboratory/study:
  • Maintains records of results and methodologies in a log of work performed.
  • Maintains equipment, lab area, and supplies in a neat professional manner.
  • Sterilize and clean glassware, and prepare media and other materials using appropriate procedures.
  • Inventories supplies, alerts supervisor to needed supplies, or mixes standard reagents.
  • Processes order for supplies and/or animals. Attends courses in safety procedures for handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous, flammable, corrosive, and toxic materials.
  • Carries out all laboratory activities in compliance with applicable regulations and protocols.
• Conducts literature searches and reviews, compiling information for journals and suggesting uses for new techniques to the P.I.
• Attends courses, lectures, and conferences to further own knowledge of research and laboratory techniques, consulting with other researchers and technicians to exchange information.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree is required. Masters Degree strongly preferred

Experience:

• Skills in cell culture, protein chemistry, molecular biology, recombinant protein expression and purification, and FACS preferred.
• Skills in mouse work are also preferred.