Research Technologist 2- Pathology

Department: MED-Pathology
Salary/Grade: NEX/11

Target hiring range for this position will be between be Salary range is as be $19.89-$24.86 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.

Job Summary:

Conducts experimental research lab work and/or assists in design of one or more specific phase(s) of entire project(s). May complete mathematical calculations, and/or computer tasks and/or assist in judging validity of data. Follows appropriate protocols, policies, procedures, regulations, Good Clinical and Good Laboratory Practices. The Sumagin lab investigates intestinal inflammation, mucosal barrier function, and immune cell regulation in models of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. We employ advanced molecular, cellular, and imaging techniques to explore host-microbiota interactions and epithelial repair mechanisms.

The lab technician will oversee management of mouse colonies, including animal husbandry, genotyping, treatments, sample collection, and tissue processing. The technician will maintain accurate laboratory records, analyze data, prepare figures, and assist with report preparation. Additional responsibilities include managing reagents, inventory, and equipment maintenance; supporting compliance documentation; and assisting the research team with ongoing projects involving molecular and cellular assays such as PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, ELISA, and related analyses.

Please note:

Work includes handling of laboratory mice and biological specimens (blood, tissue). Standard laboratory environment with occasional evening/weekend work for animal care or time sensitive experiments or obtaining and processing human samples.

Appropriate training and PPE provided to ensure compliance with institutional safety protocols.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Following protocols, designs, sets-up and conducts basic experiments.
• Analyzes and troubleshoots protocols and data obtained from individual experiments and recommends alternatives and suggestions to improve processes, validity and/or accuracy.
• Using a fully functioning level of skill, completes the following activities (please highlight):

Molecular Biology:

• DNA, RNA, Protein isolation, purification and expression Southern, Northern, Western blotting
• PCR, RT-PCR
• Plasmid preparation

Cellular Biology:

• Cell culture, cell isolation
• Functional studies

Immunology:

• Flow cytometry
• ELISA, Elispot assay
• Cytokine assay

Animal:

• Husbandry
• Breeding and screening transgenic mice
• Dissections
• Blood collection
• Surgical procedures
• Database management of colony

Histology:

• Tissue fixation/processing: embedding, preparation of blocks and sectioning, staining
• Immunohistochemistry
• Microscopy

Administration

• Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting & entering data.
• Manipulates, interprets &/or presents results.
• Prepares charts & graphs for presentations & publications.
• Performs scientific literature searches in support of research.
• Completes portions of grant applications, manuscripts & publications.

Finance

• Tracks & summarizes lab supply expenses.
• Verifies accuracy of invoices.
• Orders &/or maintains inventory of reagent, mice &/or lab supplies.

Supervises

• Trains students.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience with mouse husbandry and murine models is strongly preferred.

Familiarity with flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, or molecular biology techniques.

Strong organizational skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Comfort working in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

Mouse handling, injections and genotyping

Experience with primary cell isolation, cell culture, and flow cytometry

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 University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.