Research Technician- Johnson Lab

Job Description
The Research Technician is part of the Carl Johnson Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University, which conducts research on daily biological rhythms. This Research Technician position will be responsible for maintaining the laboratory in compliance with University Safety Protocols and performing experiments. Duties will include maintaining bacterial & mammalian cell cultures and mouse colonies, experiments on bacteria, and ordering of specialty items. The Research Technician will also be responsible for making solutions & media and conducting computerized data analyses under supervision. This position will report directly to the PI of the lab, Professor Carl Johnson.

The Department of Biological Sciences has an excellent staff to facilitate issue resolution involving personnel, financial management, supply & equipment orders, proposal submission, and infrastructure. The faculty in the department carry out diverse research projects and often collaborate with other members within the department and in nearby departments. This department covers a broad spectrum of biology, from molecules and cells to tissues and organisms to populations and ecosystems. Award-winning faculty and graduate students teach and carry out research in Biochemistry, Structural Biology and Biophysics, Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, Developmental Biology, and Neurobiology. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Under supervision and/or independently, run experiments/assays, analyze data, and record results. 
   1. Read and follow experimental protocols 
   2. Compile and communicate results to supervisor
   3. Maintain and transfer bacterial and mammalian cell cultures 
   4. Follow University safety protocols 
   5. Perform calculations involving molarity, % solutions, and serial dilutions
   6. Maintain mouse colonies
2. Prepare and operate equipment in experimental procedures under supervision:
   1. May include PCR cycler, centrifuge, pH meter, spectrophotometer, autoclave, electrophoresis unit, analytical balance, etc. 
   2. Maintain and operate equipment according to manufacturer and university guidelines
3. Ensure laboratory is prepared for experiments:
   1. Place orders for equipment and supplies
   2. Maintain sterile conditions as required 
   3. Prepare reagents 
   4. Clean equipment, defrost freezers/refrigerators
   5. Maintain laboratory cleanliness and neatness
4. Other duties as required
   1. Mouse breeding (under supervision)
   2. Presentation of research progress reports at weekly lab meetings
   3. Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology or related field is required
• Some laboratory experience is desirable (but not required)
• Experience with bacterial cell culture and microbiological techniques is desirable (but not required)
• Experience with bioinformatics (e.g., DNA sequence analyses, etc.) is desirable (but not required)

Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively to the departmental Administrative Manager and functionally to Dr. Carl Johnson.