Lab Specialist Intermediate, Department of Neuroscience

Charlottesville, VA         ·        Full time

Location/s: Charlottesville, VA

Time type: Full time

Posted on: April 28, 2023

Job requisition id: R0047719

The Flowers Lab in the Department of Neuroscience in the University of Virginia School of Medicine seeks a Lab Specialist Intermediate.  The Flowers Lab (flowerslab.org) is focused on understanding the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, and using this knowledge for the effective diagnosis and treatment of AD. One of the main focuses of the Flowers lab is understanding the impact of the glycoprotein, APOE, on the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). APOE is the most significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, despite this, there is a lot we do not understand about how APOE conveys this risk. We use human induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) and advanced technologies including mass spectrometry to better understand the changes that occur in AD. The Lab Specialist Intermediate will aid us with this important work.

This individual will be responsible for and help facilitate research related to understanding the significance of APOE and its glycosylation to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. They will be responsible for the culturing and differentiation of iPS cells into a range of cell types as well as carrying out cell, biochemical, and molecular biology assays. They will prepare samples for mass spectrometric analyses and work with a range of patient and iPSC-derived samples. The candidate will work with other members of the group invested in this project to maintain cells, carry out experiments, analyze data, as well as document and report on results to the group. A smaller part of this role will involve routine but important lab maintenance and administration tasks.

The individual hired for this position will work closely with Dr. Flowers, Dr. Fernandez, and other lab members.  They will attend lab meetings weekly and project meetings when necessary. They will be trained and receive guidance on a day-to-day basis to facilitate the goals of the project. The individual hired is expected to interact professionally and collegially with all lab members including graduate and undergraduate students, treating all lab members with respect and consideration. The hired individual can expect to work in a friendly, open, and supportive environment focused on doing good science.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Perform duties similar to Lab Specialist employees, such as helping Principal Investigators coordinate research projects, performing experimental procedures, collecting information and data, and preparing tissues and specimens for procedures.
• Participate in formulating research methods, suggesting options for improving quality, and recommending solutions. Participate in computer database design, utilization, and research/data analyses, and suggest future improvements to data measurement.
• Oversee day-to-day operation of projects. Schedule and maintain records of equipment/facilities. May be responsible for operations of specialized labs or research areas within departments and/or field work and related data analyses for research projects. May assemble, test, calibrate, clean, or make minor repairs to equipment.
• Train users in equipment operation and research techniques; and explain and demonstrate technology and equipment capabilities, operations, limitations, and outcomes.
• Determine interview procedures and conduct interviews. Work independently on collection of data and analyze research results.
• Confer with PIs in developing plans for research projects and discuss the interpretation of results and the preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication.
• May supervise research support personnel and manage budgets.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree.

Experience: 6 years of experience in a lab technician role. Master’s degree may substitute for required experience. 9 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of basic cell biology and biochemistry.
• Experience with cell culture would be preferred particularly if experience is in culturing without antibiotics or with iPSCs.
• Any experience with biochemical or cell-based assays, mass spectrometry and molecular biology techniques such as PCR would also be an advantage.
• Any previous experience in neuroscience, Alzheimer’s disease or APOE research would be highly advantageous.

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.  

The position will remain open until filled.  This is an exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA. 

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.  A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position.

To Apply:

Please apply through Workday, and search for R0047719.  Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs.’ Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV
• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Recruiting Specialist, at sxv9zv@virginia.edu

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person’s perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

Please click here to apply.