UNIV - Research Specialist - Department of Biochemistry

Job Description Summary

Dr. Hartman’s lab studies how lifestyle factors such as physical activity level and diet can impact how an individual responds to environmental exposures, and whether those exposures lead to long‑term damage. The lab works in vitro (cell culture), ex vivo (mammalian tissues), and in vivo in rodents and in the amazing model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Experimental techniques include state‑of‑the‑art medium‑throughput automated fluorescent microscopy, bioenergetic analysis using Seahorse instruments, and other sophisticated methods.

While experience in these systems and techniques is welcome, hands‑on training will be available for all required tasks.

Required to have bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or related majors. Preferred to have lab experience in cell culture, qRTPCR, and western blot.

Must be able to work with little or no supervision.

• Performs live cell culture experiments (30%)
  • Maintains cells including freezing stocks and regularly testing for mycoplasma
  • Performs respirometry analysis with live cells, organoids, and isolated mitochondria
  • Prepares cells for live fluorescent imaging
  • Fixes/freezes cells for downstream analysis
• Performs downstream analysis of cells (25%)
  • Processes and prepares fixed cells for immunofluorescence analysis
  • Purifies RNA and DNA from frozen cell pellets
  • Performs real‑time PCR gene expression analysis
  • Prepares protein lysates from frozen cell pellets and performs western blot analysis
• Prepares laboratory records (20%)
  • Prepares daily records of experimental procedures and results
  • Prepares and updates lab protocols for experimental procedures
  • Maintains detailed inventory of lab supplies and reagents
  • Manages ordering needs for the lab
  • Present experimental data in lab meetings
• Assists with mouse studies (15%)
  • Assists with dissections and tissue collection
• Assists and trains others in laboratory (10%)
  • Performs experiments for collaborations with inside and outside colleagues
  • Assists with experimental tasks for other lab members as needed
  • Trains new lab members in experimental techniques

A high school diploma and two years work experience in a clinical or research setting; a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or other natural, life or health care science may be substituted for the two years of required experience.

Continuous – 6‑8 hours per shift;
Frequent – 2‑6 hours per shift;
Infrequent – 0‑2 hours per shift. Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. Ability to climb, using step stool. Ability to work in temperature extremes (32° F to 100°

F) when required due to assignments in cold rooms and/or foreign countries. Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. Ability to bend at the waist. Ability to twist at the waist. Ability to fully use both hands/arms. Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. Ability to fully use both legs. Ability to reach in all directions, stretch, bend while moving items/materials from both sitting and standing positions.

Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function/distinction. Ability to lift materials up to 20 lbs., unassisted. Ability to lift and carry 4 liter waste material bottles a distance of 30 feet, unassisted. Ability to lift and carry 25‑30 lbs. jugs of liquid a distance of 100 feet, unassisted. Ability to lift file boxes, from floor level to counter tops, unassisted.

Ability to push/ lift 40 lbs. centrifuge rotors from floor level to height of 40 inches, then down 20 inches into centrifuge drum, unassisted. Ability to lift 25 lbs. boxes, from floor level to maximum height of 72 inches, unassisted. Ability to push/pull file boxes from one location to another at floor level. Ability to maneuver heavy equipment on bench tops, 50 lbs.

or greater, unassisted. Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. Ability to match or…