Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position assists with the technical and organizational aspects of studies and experiments of a biomedical engineering laboratory. Responsible for assisting with laboratory duties in a research setting including setting, operating and maintaining lab equipment; performing experiments in protein expression, biochemistry and mammalian cell culture; analyzing data; maintaining accurate laboratory records; attending lab meetings; ordering lab supplies; preparing required lab solutions/reagents; and performing other job-related duties as required.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Research Assistance:

• Perform experiments, analysis, and assists the supervisor and lab members with research responsibilities, which may include protein assays (BSA, ELISA, Western Blot, Co-IP, etc.), maintenance of cell lines, microscopy, flow cytometry, surface plasmon resonance, BLI, and other molecular biology assays.
• Assist in meeting scheduling, maintaining group calendar, and other lab-related groups (e.g., MS teams, Slack, Outlook Calendar, OneNote notebook).

2. Prepare and Maintain Reagent Stocks and Chemicals:

• Prepare reagents for biochemical assays involving sterilization.
• Prepare gels.
• Monitor status of lab stock reagents and chemicals.

3. Lab Equipment and Facilities:

• Regularly monitor and maintain tissue culture incubators and liquid nitrogen cell stocks, and help maintain sterile working conditions within the tissue culture room.
• Safety and Waste management: Monitor and foster proper handling of hazardous, sharps, and biohazard waste. Maintain safety plan with regular checks of eye wash, fire extinguisher, and other safety-related documentation, correspondence, and meetings.
• Inventory Maintenance: Purchase items requested by lab members and anticipate the need for other items not requested. Enter purchase orders using FIS purchasing system and charge cost of each item to proper funding source. Compare purchasing options across multiple vendors. Collect all necessary documentation (e.g., packing slips), and maintain inventory on laboratory portals.

4. Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biomedical engineering or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience equaling five years.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, communicate with laboratory staff and investigators, exhibit cultural competence, and maintain complete and organized records/reports.

• Prior laboratory experience.
• Experimental skills: Competency in protein analysis procedures, including western blot, ELISA, and BSA is highly desired.  Additional skills in flow cytometry and/or kinetics studies, like surface plasmon resonance/BLI would be a plus.
• Clerical/secretarial: Ability to organize and maintain laboratory.
• Financial Information System (FIS) related work: Ability to use the University software to order laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Accounting or purchasing: Ability to order laboratory supplies and equipment.
• General computer skills, such as word processing, spreadsheets and e-mail: Ability to use basic computer programs and to organize and maintain electronic laboratory records.
• Basic wet lab skills.
• Knowledge of biological lab instruments.

This position is full-time and works approximately 37.5 hours per week.  

This position is in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.  This position is for the Danforth Campus in the School of Engineering.

The hiring range for this position is $14.07 - $18.99 per hour.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. Current employees applying for a new position within the university may be subject to this requirement. The screenings will include a criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

This position is eligible for full-time benefits.  Please click the following link to view a summary of benefits:  https://wustl.box.com/s/8wkhs25yssf0775x9d6nd6vqa7obpth7.

Please attach a copy of your most current signed performance evaluation (completed within the last 18 months) to your online account.  If you have not received a performance evaluation, you may provide two current signed letters of recommendation (written within the last 18 months), preferably to include one letter from either a current or recent former supervisor.  To attach these documents, go to:  My Career Tools, Add Attachment, Attachment Type – Performance Reviews or Letters of Recommendation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.  The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.