Principal Laboratory Technician

Rutgers University

United States, New Jersey, New Brunswick

Jan 10, 2025

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Principal Laboratory Technician
Job Category	Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)
Department	Institute for Translational Medicine and Science
Overview	New Jersey's academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences ( RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University-New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research. Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers. Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state-at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark's University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates. Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, The State of New Jersey is seeking a Principal Laboratory Technician for Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science ( RITMS) within Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. The Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science ( RITMS) was founded in January 2016 and is directed by the Vice-Chancellor for clinical and translational science. RITMS bridges the gap between basic and clinical research, with a focus on developing safer, more effective therapeutics. It offers research cores, educational programs, and research initiatives designed to support training and research, particularly in advancing proof-of-concept studies from cellular and animal models to human trials. Join the Burdo Laboratory at Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science ( RITMS) at Rutgers University, New Brunswick as a Principal Laboratory Technician. The technician will work in an active research laboratory setting with new, state of the art facilities to study HIV infection in the central and peripheral nervous systems and heart in human and animal models. Primarily the technician will perform experiments to study the role of the monocyte/macrophage in the disease process using immunologic, molecular and virologic techniques. The technician will report directly to the PI but work closely with Research Teaching Specialist I. Responsibilities include performing laboratory experimentation, data analysis, and literary research as required; following of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols in the lab; operating and maintaining moderately complex laboratory equipment; documenting, compiling and analyzing experimental data. Weekly progress on projects and data analysis are reported directly to the PI. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Cell Culture work: media preparation, isolation, and purification of cells from human and animal tissue and blood samples, quality control testing, transfections, and maintenance of cell lines. Immunological assays: processing samples and conducting fluorescent, confocal, or EM staining, immunohistochemistry & immunocytochemistry staining, RNAScope and DNAScope, ELISAs, and flow cytometry/FACS. Preparing tissue blocks and cutting paraffin sections for immunohistochemistry. Molecular Biology work: RNA/DNA isolation & purification, PCR and qPCR, immunoprecipitations, and western blots. Generates and analyzes data for peer-reviewed publications and grant applications. Maintains biospecimen repository of clinical samples (plasma, serum, CSF, cells, etc) and from various studies. Shipping and receiving of biological specimens as needed. Assist in operation and maintenance of moderately complex laboratory equipment. Regularly checking equipment for malfunctions and performing minor repairs. Responsible for scheduling and coordination of equipment repairs, recertifications, and preventive maintenance visits.
Position Status	Full Time
Hours Per Week
Daily Work Shift	Day
Work Arrangement	This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.
FLSA	Nonexempt
Grade	147
Position Salary
Annual Minimum Salary	41184.00
Annual Mid Range Salary	42224.00
Annual Maximum Salary	43492.80
Standard Hours	40.00
Union Description	Teamsters 97
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Associate degree with 1+ years of lab experience. Applicants should have a degree in one of the following fields: biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, immunology, molecular biology, virology, or another related field.
Certifications/Licenses
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	Expertise in performing basic scientific assays including RNA/DNA extraction, qPCR, protein preparation & western blot analysis, and ELISAs are essential. Additional training provided as needed. Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team is required.
Preferred Qualifications	Experience with HIV, virology, or immunology is preferred.
Equipment Utilized	Tissue culture hoods and incubators, centrifuges, electrophoresis apparatus for proteins and nucleic acids, electroporator, flow cytometry, thermal cyclers, light, confocal, and fluorescent microscopes, histopathology processor, embedding center, microtome and cryostat, ELISA plate washer, ELISA plate reader, ddPCR, qPCR, and other equipment as needed.
Physical Demands and Work Environment	Occasional lifting 25-50 lbs., intermittently sitting/standing/stooping, typically sitting at a desk or table. Must be able to work at a computer for an extended period and must be able to operate specialized laboratory/scientific equipment. Biosafety Level 2 and 2+ laboratory environment working with human and animal fluids and tissue. Requires laboratory safety training. Caustic and toxic chemicals. Handle controlled substances such as pharmaceutical, radiological, or hazardous materials.
Special Conditions	Position is contingent upon funding.

Posting Details

Posting Number	25ST0054
Posting Open Date	01/09/2025
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus	Downtown New Brunswick
City	New Brunswick
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement