Lab Research Technician - Hisert Lab

Summary

Katie Hisert, MD, PhD, is a physician scientist with clinical specialization in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and a focus on adult cystic fibrosis (CF). Her research aims to understand the role of monocytes and macrophages in regulating chronic inflammation in the CF airway. Ultimately, she hopes her findings will demonstrate how modulation of monocyte and macrophage responses could be used therapeutically to improve CF disease manifestations and outcomes. Dr. Hisert's research is both basic and translational: she collects human specimens (blood and sputum) from people with CF, as well as peripheral blood cells from healthy donors, to study cellular changes in response to different therapies and stimuli. She also uses mouse models of acute lung inflammation to study how these cellular changes may be relevant in vivo. 

This Lab Researcher Technician position is for an individual who is interested in performing laboratory research and helping to manage the laboratory. Dr. Hisert is interested in hiring someone who is motivated, organized, inquisitive, collaborative, and who is open to learning and mastering new laboratory skills and techniques. Although a background in laboratory research is desired, Dr. Hisert can teach techniques, and is more concerned with finding an individual who will be a positive influence in the laboratory, who will help solve problems, take ownership of tasks and experiments, and who will appreciate and incorporate feedback to improve their performance in this position. 

Specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job satisfactorily include:

• Able to identify technical problems in experiments and find solutions to basic problems.
• Able to participate in collaborative interaction: there will be extensive interaction with others in the lab.  
• Able to order reagents and keep track of laboratory supplies 
• Be highly organized and able to maintain clear and reliable record.
• Bachelors level of understanding of knowledge of microbiology and immunology 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities that are desirable, providing for an enhanced level of job performance, include:

• Experience in cell culture
• Experience with flow cytometry and/or cell isolation using antibody-based methods: beginner skill level.  Methods will be taught, but knowledge of what antibodies are, and how they can be used to isolate specific cell populations is essential for understanding methods.
• Experience working with animal models. 
• Data collection and analysis. Able to process data with basic statistical analysis, produce graphs, and develop preliminary conclusions and plans for next round of experiments; familiarity with Microsoft Office suite.

Candidates are encouraged to include a cover letter explaining their interest in this position and how the position relates to their short and/or long term career goals.

Position Summary    

The position performs as an entry level technician under the direction of a Principal Investigator or Laboratory Manager which may include assisting in collecting, tabulating and analyzing research data.  

Essential Duties    

1. Performs routine laboratory tests under the direction of a Principal Investigator or Lab Manager.
2. Collects, accurately records and analyzes data in conjunction with other research staff.
3. Obtains and maintains minimum proficiency in data analysis, preparation of glassware, extraction and plating procedures, basic programming and mathematical ordering systems.  May utilize computer.
4. Maintains compliance with all institutional/safety training requirements.
5. Maintains laboratory records, supplies and samples in an organized manner (such as a laboratory notebook and sample storage record).

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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: Bachelor's Degree required.
2. Work Experience: None
3. Special Training, Certification and Licensure: A demonstrated basic knowledge of laboratory procedures, laboratory equipment, and data collection /classification required.

Salary Range: $19.00 - $21.00

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