Research Technician

Department
 

BSD CCC – Cancer Research Lab

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant provides funding for ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center is comprised of over 150 faculty members from twenty departments with members currently being awarded over $47 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $28 million in non-peer reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, communications, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management and community outreach.
UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area with nearly 500 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC commitment to translate basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early phase studies. UCCCC opens over 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.

Job Summary
 

As a lab technician, you will work on a variety of tasks in our cancer immunology lab. The work includes cell cultures, immunological function assays, and molecular biology in animal models and human specimens. This job is an opportunity to use current knowledge and expand your skills. You will also be expected to perform data analysis and generate reports, as well as general lab duties related to equipment maintenance and materials inventories. You will work in a dynamic and growing environment as part of the cancer immunology group of researchers on the 10th floor of the Knapp Center for Biological Discovery with the best views of Lake Michigan on campus. The 10th floor lab environment includes monthly socials to meet technicians and researchers in other labs. This is an opportunity for you to join a leading research team that is making strides in the fight against cancer harnessing immune system.
This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

• Communicates with collaborators for sample scheduling and picking up.

• Records detail of sample processing on worksheets. 

• Isolates plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from blood.

• Processes tumor samples to a single cell suspension.

• Performs flash freeze tumor samples and cell pellets.

• Transfers frozen samples to a liquid nitrogen freezer.

• Maintains and updates sample log and freezer inventories.

• Performs hands-on lab experiments such as ELISA, flow cytometry, DNA/RNA extraction, and PCR.

• Maintains/inventories equipment and supplies.

• This job provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment performing basic laboratory techniques, research and analysis under direction.

• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision.

• Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.

• Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in Immunology, Biology, or other related fields.

Experience:

• Previous experience in a laboratory setting.

• PBMC isolation.

• Tumor sample processing.

• Cell culture.

• Flow cytometry.

• ELISA.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to communicate and comprehend written and oral direction. 

• Honesty, integrity, and strong work ethic.

• Attention to detail.

• Multitasking skills.

• Ability to understand responsibilities, workflow, and experiments.

• Strong problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions

• Normal Laboratory Environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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