Core Scientist

Job Summary:

Responsible for the completion of research projects within the Core Facility. Provides services and consultation researchers and investigators to facilitate highly technical and specialized scientific research. Guides the Core in all relevant areas to ensure high quality service for the research community.

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking a highly motivated, well organized and service-minded Core Scientist with comprehensive advanced flow cytometry and cell sorting experience to join the Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Shared Resource. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Biomedicine, Immunology, Molecular Biology or a related discipline, alternatively university degree (Bachelor or Master) coupled to years of experience.

Prior experience in multi-color flow cytometry and cell sorting is an absolute requirement.

The Lurie Flow Core provides scientific and technical support to a large user base of over 250 PIs, and utilization of over 18,000 hours serving the entire Northwestern research community and its high-impact research. Therefore, experience of customer service, strong pedagogic and interpersonal skills, ability to organize, plan and document the work are desired. Demonstrated independent cell sorting experience on BD platforms is essential.

Previous work and management experience of BSL-2 lab and work routines is highly desired, BSL-3 experience is a plus. Willingness to learn new instrumentation, techniques and analysis software; and excellent communication skills in spoken and written English is a must.

Lurie flow core is a growing and state-of-the-art facility housing exceptional instrumentation – 10 sorters (including 4 new state-of-the-art BD FACSDiscover S8 sorters, Miltenyi tyto, and others) and 7 analyzers (including new state-of-the-art BD FACSDiscover A8 analyzer and other BD spectral analyzers). The team is encouraged to bring in new and innovative techniques and instrumentation to expedite scientific discovery.

As a core scientist, you will report to the facility manager and aid in the daily routines for both instruments and biosafety, perform simple and advanced cell sorting and analysis and assist users. Training new users is a major service offered and the core scientist will assist in organizing training sessions, both theoretical and hands‑on training. Extensive panel design and validation experience on high‑parameter flow cytometry is a plus.

Experience in instrument trouble shooting is an advantage. The facility offers an excellent opportunity to develop a career in flow cytometry via interaction with the Northwestern staff and researchers as well as customers from industry. We offer an international environment with the opportunity to learn new high-end technologies. Highly motivated and experienced scientist with a passion for flow cytometry and cell sorting are encouraged to apply.

• Maintains clear and accurate documentation of the protocols, instrumentation logs, and/or data collected.
• Records work accurately and completely.
• May contribute to grant writing.
• Utilizes established safety practices, and is responsible for providing a safe work environment for fellow employees and clients.

• Participates in strategy-setting for the future direction and needs of the Core.
• Provides specific and actionable feedback during the goal-setting processes.
• Demonstrates a sound, working knowledge of techniques in other laboratories in order to provide cross‑over assistance to clients.
• Organizes in‑house and/ or off‑site training related to Core activities.
• Develops and delivers presentations, seminars, and workshops.
• Networks with key decision-makers within the research community (both internal and external to the University).
• Provides consultation to Investigators/users on new project/experiment design requests using high‑parameter flow cytometry.

• Performs literature reviews for the purposes of furthering the research.
• Generates, collects, and analyzes data. Develops new analysis techniques and methodologies.
• Lead panel design and protocol development on high‑parameter cell sorters and…