Research Technician III

The Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division is made of up approximately 70 clinical staff and over 100 research staff who work in a variety of locations including: Bridgeside Point, Biomedical Science Tower (BST), UPMC Hospitals including Presbyterian, Shadyside, East, Jameson and Mercy.  The division provides world class services across 10 inpatient services at five hospitals and over 70,000 outpatient office visits. We have a major research mission that focuses on basic, clinical, and translational research on the lung, microbiome, COVID-19, sleep medicine, and allergy and immunology.

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, the research technician is responsible for executing experiments within the Acute Lung Injury Center of Excellence focused on lung macrophage responses to bacterial infection. This position requires experience in basic biochemical/molecular techniques including sterile tissue culture technique, western blots, PCR, and DNA/ RNA preparation, and flow cytometry with training in more advanced techniques to be provided. Previous experience with experimental mouse models is preferred.

Performs a variety of independent laboratory work and experiments such as determining experimental protocols and preparation of specimens and cultures. Prepares reports of findings subsequent to compilation and analyzation. Oversees specimen inventory. Develops documentation for publication; crafts manuscripts and grant proposals.

Assist laboratory staff with in vivo murine experiments through management of treated mice, tissue harvesting for in vivo and ex vivo studies, and management of mouse colonies for experiments. Perform sterile cell culture experiments, drug treatments, and DNA/RNA transfections in vitro. Perform genetic knockdown and other specialty techniques as assigned including but not limited to confocal microscopy, western blotting, and flow cytometry. Assist with laboratory maintenance with preparation of standard buffers, tissue culture room maintenance, order procurement, and mouse colony maintenance. Maintain meticulous, accurate, and timely data and log books. Analytical reasoning skills required for preparation of data, graphs, tables, and charts to document experimental results for publication.

Must be able to sit or stand at bench for a few hours, able to carry and open boxes for lab reagents that arrive, able to pipette for experiments.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.