Technical Associate I (S)

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

400087 Pediatrics M&D Inf Diseases

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 107

Compensation Range:

$47,972.00 - $67,161.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

The Associate will serve as a laboratory manager within the laboratory of Dr. Jennifer Nayak in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. This person will have the primary responsibility for planning, executing, and interpreting complex experiments aimed at understanding the immune response to influenza infection and vaccination.
As part of this position, the Associate will be expected to independently interpret data and make recommendations regarding the design and optimization of future experiments. This person will also be expected to interact and collaborate with multiple laboratories in the Department of Pediatrics and the Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or higher in an appropriate discipline, plus 1-2 years specialized experience in related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Knowledge of fundamental immunology and basic immunological methods is necessary. The applicant must be able to maintain productivity without supervision during times when the PI is occupied with clinical responsibilities or travelling. Some experience in performing and analyzing multiparameter flow cytometry data is preferred. Must be detailed, accurate and highly organized with the ability to work independently with only occasional direction.


Responsibilities:

- Design, perform, and interpret experiments with the goal of quantifying CD4 T cell and B cell responses to influenza infection and vaccination on PBMCs from adult and pediatric subjects. This will involve:

- Surface and/or intracellular staining for multi-parameter flow cytometry, including spectral flow cytometry.

- Purification of CD4 T cells, followed by cytokine Elispot assays to quantify responses to individual peptide epitopes, peptide pools, or whole antigens.

- Quantification of the B cell and serum antibody response using B cell Elispots, ELISAs, microneutralization assays, and HAI assays.

- Plan, perform, and interpret other routine laboratory assays, including but not limited to cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR, western blots, protein production, and multiplex analysis for secreted proteins

- Interpret experimental data, including performance of basic statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel and Prism software. Develops novel data analysis methods using programing languages such as R. Organizes and prepares results for presentation at laboratory meetings, conferences, and in manuscripts and grant applications. Maintains detailed experimental records and presents data to the PI and others.

- Attend lab meetings and relevant seminars, including regular meetings with the PI to review data, proposes experiments and discusses data. Communicate research data on behalf of the PI at local, regional, and national meetings if the PI is unable to attend or assigns the technical associate

- Independently write and edit sections of manuscripts dealing with methodology for publication. Independently write sections of grant applications, including obtaining budgetary data for review by PI. Establish and troubleshoot new laboratory protocols and develop standardized operating procedures for the laboratory. Independent management of the laboratory's reagent inventory; keep research supplies stocked. Oversee maintenance, management, and/or repair of equipment; coordinates ordering of supplies and equipment and trains people in the appropriate use of equipment. Has the ability to make decisions on purchases of supplies and equipment. Will perform in depth comparative research to obtain the best produc