• Job Description

  Req#: JR2024-559

  Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

  Location

  Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center

  Job Description

  The Research Technologist II will perform lab work in the Wechsler Laboratory, which is part of the Immune Deviation & Disease Neighborhood. The Wechsler lab investigates the role of mast cells and fibroblasts in driving inflammation and scarring in Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE).

  The candidate should:

  • Be highly motivated with experience working in a translational/basic science laboratory setting using wet lab tools to define biological mechanism ideally associated with mucosal inflammation, allergic inflammation, or fibrosis.
  • Have experience in some aspects of laboratory immunology and/or molecular biology research.
  • Be able to work with the PI to design/optimize/troubleshoot experiments and perform experiments independently.
  • Feel comfortable reading and discussing literature.
  • Have proficiency in either murine skills OR spectral flow cytometric techniques.
  • For candidates with murine skills, this includes breeding, handling, oral gavage, intraperitoneal administration, topical (skin) application, and dissection.
  • Candidates with murine experience should be willing to learn new skills (e.g. cardiac puncture, venipuncture, esophagus dissection).
  • For candidates with spectral flow cytometry experience, this includes use of spectral flow machines (e.g. BD Symphony A3/A5), high-parameter spectral panel design, optimization of antibody dilution and gating (e.g. FMOs), sorting, and FlowJo analysis.
  • Candidates with spectral flow experience should be willing to learn new machines (e.g. BD FACS Discover S8).
  • Have previous experience with RNA/DNA/protein isolation, RT-PCR, western blot/ELISA, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, and cell culture (sterile technique).
  • Be willing to learn techniques including culture of suspension and/or adherent cell human/murine cells, Air Liquid Interface, and organoids.
  • Be open to meet with personnel from other labs to improve performance and analysis of experiments and acquisition of new skills.
  • Be comfortable coordinating with core facilities, clinical research coordinators and lab personnel.
  • Hold the ability to complete mathematical calculations, computer tasks, judge the validity of data, and follow protocols, policies, procedures, regulations, good clinical & laboratory practices.
  • Be able to contribute to manuscripts by writing methods/results section, develops figures for manuscripts/grants.
  • Maintain an agenda and lab notebook and present via PowerPoint in weekly lab meeting.

  Job Responsibilities:

  • Following protocols, designs, sets-up, and conducts basic experiments (including transfection, bacterial culture, bacterial adherence and internalization assays, western blotting, PCR, immunofluorescence, DNA isolation).
  • Maintains and propagates airway epithelial cells in culture, including primary cells grown at the air-liquid interface.
  • Analyzes and troubleshoots protocols and data obtained from individual experiments and recommends alternatives and suggestions to improve processes, validity and/or accuracy.
  • Future routine mouse work monitoring, breeding, tissue collection and processing, and procedures.
  • Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting and entering data. Manipulates, interprets and/or presents results.
  • Prepares charts and graphs for presentations and publications.
  • Performs scientific literature searches in support of research.
  • Completes portions of grant applications, manuscripts and publications.
  • Tracks and summarizes lab supply expenses. Verifies accuracy of invoices. Orders and maintains inventory of reagent, mice and/or lab supplies.
  • Other job functions as assigned.

  Essential Job Functions:

  Maintains understanding of goals/aims of project(s) and mission of lab through interaction with PI, performing literature search and critically reading scientific literature. Works with PI to design and optimizes experiments. Independently perform experiments and learns new techniques. Multi-tasks between at least 2 projects Designs flow panels for BD Spectral flow analyzer/sorter, optimizes panel including optimization of antibody dilution/gating (FMOs), runs samples, troubleshoot, analyze data on FlowJo OR Performs EoE mouse models that require topical application, gavage and/or intraperitoneal administration. Dissects mice to obtain the esophagus and processes tissue and works with core for analysis. Routine mouse work: health monitoring, breeding, coordinating genotyping with core facility. Sterile technique with culture of mast cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. Performs air liquid interface and/or organoids (for candidates with murine experience). Performs/Quantifies RNA/DNA/Protein Isolation, RT-PCR, ELISA/Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry & Immunofluorescence Performs dissociation of esophageal biopsies to single cell suspension. Analyzes data from experiments to generate graphs, presents research progress/plan at lab meeting in PowerPoint. Works with PI to identify alternatives to improve processes. Coordinates experiments with core facilities (email communication and scheduling) Maintains lab notebook for each project that includes hypothesis, protocol, results, and conclusions. A detailed record of protocol and results is critical. Communicates effectively with PI, lab personnel and research coordinator. Attends and presents at relevant seminars. Generates figures for manuscript/grant. Helps write methods/results for manuscripts. Helps track and summarize lab supplies and expenses, verify accuracy of invoices, place orders and maintain inventory/log of samples, reagents, mice, and lab supplies.

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Completion of full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a scientific major; OR appropriate combination of education and relevant work experience as a research technologist At least 1 year of directly relevant experience including spectral flow cytometry OR mouse techniques denoted above (references will be necessary)
  • Experience working with a diverse group of people. Proficient with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, GraphPad Prism (or similar graphing software), FlowJo (for candidates with flow experience)
  • Able to work with PI and lab personnel to design/optimize/troubleshoot/interpret work.
  • Able to follow/write protocols and perform experiments independently and with others.
  • Able to maintain a lab notebook and present project-based PowerPoints at lab meeting.
  • Excellent command of the English language and the ability to communicate effectively.
  • Contributes to lab priorities and experiments with the theme of the lab’s research goals.
  • Experience with RNA/DNA techniques, sterile technique with cell culture, IHC/IF Murine Experience: topical application, gavage, intra-peritoneal administration, OR Spectral flow cytometry experience: use of BD flow cytometer/sorter, design high parameter panels, optimize antibody dilution/gating (FMOs), FlowJo analysis.
  • Able to coordinate with core facilities and work with others for new techniques.
  • Able to generate graphs for figures and willing to develop skills in manuscript writing.
  • Strong organizational skills (e.g. multi-task and track inventory/samples/ordering)
  • Ability to establish priorities and react promptly to a large variety of requests.
  • Ability to keep workplace clean and organized.

  Education and Experience:

  • Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of 1 year of experience working with diverse groups of people.
  • Working knowledge of computers, ability to troubleshoot, work independently, and function as a team member is essential. Therefore, experience in regular interaction with outside groups is highly desirable.
  • Excellent command of the English language and the ability to communicate effectively.
  • Strong organizational skills including the ability to establish priorities, react promptly to a large variety of requests, and the ability to keep the workplace clean and organized.

  
  

  
  

  Education

  Bachelor's Degree: Biomedical Science (Required)

  Benefit Statement

  For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

  Medical, dental and vision insurance

  Employer paid group term life and disability

  Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

  Flexible Spending Accounts

  Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

  403(b) with a 5% employer match

  Various voluntary benefits:

  • Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability

  • Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

  • Tuition assistance

  • Student loan servicing and support

  • Adoption benefits

  • Backup Childcare and Eldercare

  • Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

  • Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

  • Discount purchasing program

  There’s a Place for You with Us

  At Lurie Children’s we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.

  Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

  Support email: candidatesupport@luriechildrens.org

• About the company

  Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children's Memorial Hospital and commonly known as Lurie Children's, is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's hospital located in Chicago, Illinois.

Notice