A part time, temporary position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Aparna Sertil in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, investigating the role of tumor microenvironment and stress signaling in tumor dormancy, therapy resistance and cancer stem cell plasticity. The successful candidate will be a well-rounded, enthusiastic individual with training in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related field and experience performing research in a laboratory setting. This individual should be detailed oriented, conscientious, and able to follow instructions and have the ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner orally and in writing.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs standard laboratory procedures such as maintaining cell cultures requiring the use of sterile technique, processing tissue samples and preparing slides using staining techniques.

• Performs routine experiments and analyses, as requested.

• Maintains animal colonies which includes feeding, watering, sexing and breeding the subjects.

• Compiles data and assists in routine preliminary analyses; maintains research data in laboratory notebook, writes summary reports and reports findings to investigator.

• Assists in performing surgeries and dissections on animals which includes setting up equipment and supplies, preparing animals for surgery, anesthetizing and monitoring heart rate of animal and harvesting tissue samples and readily accessible organs.

• Collects samples or data and performs lab analysis and/or quantifies and tabulates results.

• Operates laboratory and experimental equipment such as microtomes, microscopes, electron microscopes, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, analytical balances, photometers and spectrometers; makes minor repairs and makes arrangements for major repairs to be performed.

• Organizes supplies, materials or equipment and sets-up equipment for laboratory experiments or demonstrations; may perform minor equipment maintenance.

• Maintains detailed records of controlled substances in the laboratory; packages waste material and arranges for disposal according to established procedures.

• Assists with basic mathematical and statistical analyses.

• Follows established procedures to prepare solutions, media and reagents using arithmetical calculations for measuring; performs library research to find appropriate procedures, as required.

• Cleans glassware and other laboratory equipment or materials using appropriate standards; keeps laboratory area clean.

• Performs clerical tasks such as filing, typing, labeling and billing; inventories and requisitions supplies and materials.

• Assists in training volunteers working in the laboratory.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of the methods, materials and techniques used in laboratory and research work.

• Knowledge of research and laboratory equipment appropriate to the area of the assignment.

• Ability to effectively communicate.

• Skill in recording research data.