Senior Lab Researcher - Petrache Lab

Summary

The Petrache Lab at National Jewish Health is seeking a Senior Lab Researcher to join our team. Our laboratory investigates pulmonary diseases such as COPD, and mechanisms of lung injury and repair. The research projects focus on the role of sphingolipid metabolism, cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor, and susceptibility to viral or bacterial infections. 

The methods used in our laboratory include tissue culture, exposure of cells to cigarette smoke and e-cigarettes, isolation of cells from murine and human tissues, transfections, RNA and protein isolation, quantitative PCR, Western blotting, histology, immunofluorescence, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and mouse models of lung disease. Training will be provided, but high level of experience is required for this position and preference will be given to candidates experienced in specific basic science research methods. The degree and years of experience requirements are listed in the further sections of this job posting.

The candidate selected for this position will:

• Work under the supervision of the principal investigator and senior lab personnel.
• Be involved in daily collaborative interaction with other lab members.
• Be highly organized and able to maintain clear and reliable record, including computer databases. 
• Plan and execute complex experiments independently.
• Identify problems and offer solutions, troubleshoot, optimize methodology.
• Provide instruction in laboratory techniques to students, junior lab members and other staff.
• Act as technical advisor to other laboratory personnel.
• Collect, analyze and graph the data using basic statistical and imaging software (Microsoft Office Suite, GraphPad Prism).
• Present data in lab meetings, with option of presenting at institutional as well as regional and national scientific meetings
• Assist in preparation of manuscripts.
• Participate, direct and manage specific aspects of laboratory maintenance & operations.
   

Position Summary    

The position independently performs all phases of experimental investigations and collaborates with the principal investigators in the progress of major research projects.  Acts as a technical advisor to laboratory technical, support and auxiliary staff.  This senior position will work in the laboratory of Dr. Irina Petrache, Division Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine.  Projects include sphingolipid metabolism in lung disease and repair, effects of e-cigarette vapor on lung injury and infection, e-cigarette and influenza effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection, among others.  This candidate will work on a team, assist in the maintenance of the laboratory, teach students, residents, and staff protocols and experimental design, will analyze and interpret data for presentation at lab meetings and conferences, assist in the preparation of manuscripts.  

Essential Duties    

1. Plans, develops, operates, records, collaborates and reports on research projects.
2. Performs as the technical advisor on techniques involving complex analyses utilizing highly sophisticated techniques.  
3. Provides guidance to laboratory staff, including technicians, support and auxiliary staff.  
4. Plans, organizes and leads the work of Lab Researchers and Lab Technicians.
5. Serves as the primary contact with the research staff for technical services on major techniques, recording devices and statistical procedures relative to the specifically assigned field.
6. Reviews quality control of new of modified laboratory techniques which may affect any part of major projects.
7. Performs routine and non-routine tests leading to the successful completion of developed experiments.
8. Prepares statistical tabulations, using a calculator or computer.
9. Demonstrates enhanced proficiency in data analysis, preparation of glassware, extraction and plating procedures, programming and mathematical ordering systems. 
10. Oversees supply functions, inventory control, equipment use and maintenance, and animal care and ordering, as needed.
11. Ensures laboratory and staff compliance with departmental, Institution and regulatory policies
12. Maintains compliance with all institutional / safety training requirements.
13. Maintains laboratory records, supplies, samples in an organized manner (such as a laboratory notebook and sample storage record).
14.  

Other Duties 

1. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies    

1. Laboratory Knowledge: Demonstrates and understands laboratory testing and methodology.
2. Decision Quality: Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement.  Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
3. Adaptability: Maintains effectiveness in the midst of change in work responsibilities or environment, requirements ambiguity, or stress.
4. Problem Solving: Uses issue identification, data relation and comparison, pattern recognition and information gathering to create analyses and make recommendations.
5. Informing/Communicating: Conveys ideas, responses, or instructions effectively, appropriately, and persuasively through writing or speech.
6. Professional Relationships: Interacts with others in a constructive, positive, and respectful manner, regardless of individual differences. Assists team members or co-workers in achieving personal goals and completing assignments.
7. Drive for Excellence: Consistently meets performance expectations, ensures that accurate, objective, and timely measures of quality are made and used.
8. Innovation Management: Identifies key trends, opportunities, and organizational capabilities that would bring competitive advantage to the organization.  Sees trends before others and integrates concepts in a unique way.

Core Values    

1. Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
2. Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
3. Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
4. Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
5. Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the institution.
6. Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures. 
7. Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
8. Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: BS /BA Degree required
2. Work Experience: 5 years of Laboratory Experience required. A Master’s Degree and 3 years or laboratory experience may be substituted for the required 5 years of work experience.
3. Special Training, Certification or Licensure: None

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000

Benefits

At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset.

With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Medical Plans, Dental Plans and Vision Insurance
   
• Retirement Plan
• FSA and HSA
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Voluntary Benefits, like Accident Insurance, Critical Care and Hospital Indemnity
• Sick and Vacation Paid Time Off
• Wellness Program
• Legal Plan