Life Science Technician 1 at Stanford University in Stanford, CA

This position is represented by SEIU Local 2007 and the collective bargaining agreement between the university and SEIU Local 2007 governs the terms and conditions of employment

About the Department of Pathology:

The Department of Pathology is a founding department of the Stanford School of Medicine and one of the leading departments in the United States. Our preeminent faculty spans from emerging leaders to highly accomplished physicians and scientists, including a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy. Our mission is to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and basic understanding of the human disease. This is done through discovery (research), education, and clinical care.

You will be working with an unparalleled leading-edge community of faculty and staff that are fundamentally changing the world of health care. You will have the opportunity to influence and drive change with your innovative ideas, the ability to make a difference and participate in human advancements. Our culture is fast-paced, energetic, and growing all of the time.

We offer a variety of benefits beyond traditional medical, dental, retirement, and savings options:

• Events and program for children, sports camps, tuition options
• World-class intellectual stimulation through learning and development classes, workshops, and onsite conferences from leading-edge speakers and faculty
• Work/life and family-friendly policies and reimbursement
• Participation in Stanford’s social responsibility and sustainable programs for a better world
• A vibrant university culture that values the uniqueness of each individual

We are seeking candidates who are progressive thinkers, see challenges as simply problems to solve, and have the spirit and energy to change the world.

About the Lab:

The LST1 will work in the lab of Dr. Theo Roth, MD PhD (Department of Pathology, Arc Institute, and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy). The lab develops, applies, and translates scalable genetic manipulation technologies in primary human cells and complex in vivo tissue environments (Roth et al, Nature 2018; Roth et al, Cell 2020; Blaeschke et al, Cell 2023). Working with students, trainees, and staff with backgrounds across bioengineering, genetics, immunology, oncology, and pathology, the lab has developed CRISPR-All, a unified genetic perturbation language able to arbitrarily and combinatorically examine genetic perturbations across perturbation type and scale in primary human cells. Ongoing applications of CRISPR-All in the lab have revealed surprising capacities to synthetically engineer human cells beyond evolved cellular states. These new capacities to perturb human cell’s genetics beyond their evolved functionality drives ongoing work to understand the biology and therapeutic potential of synthetic cell state engineering - in essence learning how to build new human genes tailor made for a specific cell and specific environment to drive previously inaccessible therapeutic cellular functions.

For more information about the lab, visit http://rothlab.com

About the Position:

We are recruiting a Life Science Technician to support ongoing research activities in the Roth Lab. The LST's work involves assisting with laboratory maintenance, buffer and sample preparation, reagent preparation, inventory management, and supporting established experimental protocols under supervision. Working as part of a multidisciplinary research team, the LST will assist laboratory members with routine technical procedures, preparation of laboratory materials and reagents, sample handling, cell culture support activities, recordkeeping, and general laboratory operations under established protocols and supervision. Additional major responsibilities will include laboratory upkeep, inventory management, order processing, and maintaining a safe and organized laboratory environment. This position represents an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to advanced genetics and genome engineering technologies in a dynamic research environment.

Duties include:

• Autoclaving and Dishwashing: Operate autoclave equipment to ensure the sterilization of laboratory tools, glassware, and other equipment. Conduct routine and systematic dishwashing to maintain a hygienic and organized laboratory workspace. Adhere to safety guidelines and protocols during autoclaving and dishwashing activities.
• Buffer Preparation: Prepare laboratory buffers following established protocols to ensure accuracy and consistency. Measure and mix chemicals and reagents with precision to achieve the desired concentrations. Maintain detailed documentation of buffer preparation processes, including quantities, procedures, and any deviations.
• Experiment Assistance: Provide valuable assistance during individual experiments, working closely with researchers and following experimental protocols. Execute tasks as directed, such as sample preparation, ensuring the smooth progression of experiments. Maintain a proactive approach to learning and adapting to new experimental techniques and procedures.
• Collaborate in the preparation and aliquoting of various reagents crucial for laboratory experiments
• Order Handling and Documentation
• General Lab Support
• Inventory Management
• Lab Maintenance

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with general laboratory techniques, especially basic molecular and cellular biology techniques (including DNA and RNA isolation, PCR, DNA assembly, bacterial transformation, eukaryotic cell culture, etc.)

Physical Requirements*:

• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, write by hand.
• Ability to stand and move on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.
• Occasionally lift and handle materials up to 20 pounds
• Rarely carry/pull and/or push up to 20 pounds
• Must have correctible vision to perform duties of the job.
• Position may require repetitive motion.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Working Conditions:

Work occurs in a research laboratory environment. Depending on research, may work in the vicinity of animals, chemicals, gasses, or hazardous materials. Expected to follow all safety requirements and procedures including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required.

Responsibilities

Core Duties:

• Very simple animal dissection such as removing a readily accessible organ, preparation before and assistance during surgery, administration of medication and post-surgery care.
• Histological procedures involving fixation of tissue and staining specimens with stains that do not require microscopic control in proceeding from step to step.
• Maintenance and transfer of established cell lines where the culture conditions are well defined.
• Biochemical assays (often colorimetric or spectrophotometric) of compounds or enzymatic activity using well-established procedures where the determination of any settings or adjustments is provided to the technician.
• Molecular biology assays (polymerase chain reaction, sequencing reactions) where the protocol is well established.
• Operation of instruments (e.g., spectrophotometer, fraction collector, scintillation counter, PCR machines, light microscope, cell counter) where the settings are simple or prescribed; techniques such as centrifugation (not involving density gradients) or limited black and white photography.
• Isolation, purification and maintenance of bacteria and basic manipulation of bacterial plasmids using well-established protocols; determination of the concentration of cells.
• Complete and accurate documentation of the work performed.

Minimum Education and Experience

One year’s employment experience in laboratory work or a combination of equivalent education and relevant work experience/training (e.g., one year of college science).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Work requires the ability to follow detailed instructions and keep accurate records.