Research Technician, Department of Biology - Eberly College of Arts & Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
- Holly Paddock
West Virginia University Research Corporation Eberly College of Arts & Sciences is currently accepting applications for a Research Technician.
About the Opportunity
As a Research Technician, you will assist in gathering and analyzing data in a developmental neurobiology lab. Our findings will help characterize the molecular genetic mechanisms that are essential for normal vertebrate brain formation and function. The individual will also be responsible for maintaining and managing a small zebrafish facility that is essential to our research and over time will provide opportunities for small collaborations with other labs, particularly at WVU, who are interested in working with zebrafish.
You will provide support to a developmental neurobiology research lab using zebrafish. Our zebrafish facility is a small aquatic housing system that consists of approximately 350 tanks. Zebrafish will require care and husbandry tasks be performed Monday through Friday and some weekends and holidays. In addition to managing and maintaining the zebrafish colony, the individual will also support research in the lab through performing experiments involving molecular biological techniques, gene expression analyses, fish behavioral assays, microdissection, microscopy, and imaging. The individual will also support the principal investigator of the lab in oversight and training of other support staff, lab members, and students in the zebrafish facility and the lab. Other duties include maintaining general lab organization and cleanliness, proper handling and disposal of wastes, placing and tracking orders, and generating and updating lab databases and protocols.
At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs.:
13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
A range of health insurance and other benefits
Dependent Education Scholarship
WVU Perks
And More!!
What you’ll do:
Raise and maintain wild type, mutant, and transgenic zebrafish lines and in vitro fertilization
Ship and receive zebrafish lines and laboratory equipment and reagents
Generate mutant and transgenic zebrafish by microinjection of synthesized DNA and RNA, raising multiple generations, and screening
Assure that the fish facility and laboratory are clean and organized per required safety and operating procedures
Daily zebrafish health and water quality checks, daily feedings of live and dry foods, culturing live foods (rotifers and hatch fry), maintain detailed fish facility records
Perform fin biopsies of zebrafish for genotyping and line maintenance
Lift and move fish tanks containing up to 6L of water and occasionally transporting lab reagents up to 50 lbs.
Recommend improvements to operating conditions or procedures based on evidence and experience
Maintain good working relationships with other lab members and faculty and staff in the WVU biology department
Assist in training others in zebrafish care and in standard lab techniques and practices
Stay current on best practices for managing a small university laboratory and zebrafish facility through reading published books and journal articles and possibly attend relevant conferences
Abide by and knowing all animal care and use practices and lab safety standards of the university and our funding sources
Prepare laboratory and fish facility stock solutions
Respond to fish facility emergencies
Ensure lab and fish facility equipment is maintained, operating, and calibrated as needed
Order lab and fish facility supplies as needed and maintain records of all orders
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (i.e. biology, marine biology, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics)
Master’s degree preferred
A minimum of one year of experience involving:
Research or teaching lab experience
Experience with zebrafish or handling and caring of other aquatic organisms is highly desired
Background in statistics would be beneficial.
Maintaining excellent experimental records, analyzing data, and reporting to and discussing experimental outcomes with the principal investigator of the lab and more formally at lab meetings
Computer (PC) skills:
Biological databases and bioinformatics resources
Microsoft Office or equivalent (Excel, Word, Power Point)
PubMed
File Maker Pro or equivalent
Other lab database software, Image acquisition, and processing software
Knowledge of, willingness to learn and/or experience performing the following laboratory techniques:
DNA, RNA and protein extraction from fish tissue and cells, FACS, PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, western blotting, molecular cloning, competent cell and agar plate preparation, gel electrophoresis
Gene/Protein expression analysis: in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, RNAseq
Microscopy: light and fluorescence dissecting and compound scopes, confocal imaging, 2-photon imaging
About Research Corporation
The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.
The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible forhelping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.
West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.