Research Lab Tech II, Microbiology Immunology

JOB SUMMARY

The Sprockett Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, seeks a motivated Research Laboratory Technician to join our team. We offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on the ecology and evolution of the gut microbiome in humans and animal models. Candidates with experience or interest in bacterial genetics, anaerobic culturing, and vertebrate animal models are highly encouraged to apply.

About the Sprockett Lab

Humans are all colonized by a complex community of microorganisms that has profound impacts on disorders spanning the immune, metabolic, and neuroendocrine systems. However, there are key gaps in our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes shape that this gut microbiome and its influence host health outcomes. The Sprockett lab is currently focused on address the following questions:

1. What are the ecological “rules” that govern microbiome assembly in early life, and how does variation in these processes early in life affect health outcomes later in life?
2. What microbial traits determine how the microbiome disperses to new hosts via social interactions, and how does variation in host behavior alter patterns of microbial transmission? 
3. How to do microbial populations adapt to their new host following transmission, and what are the consequences of this evolution for host health and wellbeing?

To address these gaps, the Sprockett Lab employs advanced bioinformatic and high-throughput, culture-based approaches to datasets generated from conventional, germ-free, and rewilded mice; primates; and clinical and cohort-based studies in humans. Through the lens of ecology and evolution, we aim to identify species- and population-level interactions that can be selectively tuned to increase human health and flourishing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure compliance with safety protocols.
• Collaborate in designing and performing experiments, as well as analyzing data.
• General laboratory tasks and ordering.
• Maintain a well-organized work environment.
• Supervise and train group members.
• Develop and update standard operating protocols (SOPs) and other lab documentation.
• Communicate with Primary Investigator.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in microbiology, cell biology, immunology, or a related field.
• Previous research experience including but not limited to bacterial genetics, bacterial and/or viral culturing, and vertebrate animal models is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

WE OFFER

• The opportunity to contribute to advance research on the human microbiome. 
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Additional information

Please submit a PDF file containing your cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to daniel.sprockett@wakehealth.edu. Please list "Lab Tech II Application" in the subject line.

 

 

Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) is a U.S. News and World Report top 50 ranked medical school, integrated with a world-class health system, Atrium Health. WFUSM, the academic core of Atrium Health Enterprise, is a recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research that includes Wake Forest Innovations, a commercialization enterprise focused on advancing health care through new medical technologies and biomedical discovery. WFUSM, has over $300M in annual, extramural funding that drives a cutting-edge Academic Learning Health System by integrating innovative research with excellent patient care across our enterprise. 

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the fifth-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. AHWFB is an 885-bed tertiary-care hospital in Winston-Salem – that includes Brenner Children’s Hospital, five community hospitals, more than 300 primary and specialty care locations and more than 2,700 physicians. Our highly integrated academic and clinical environment is deeply committed to improving health, elevating hope, and advancing healing – for all. 

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