Lab and Research Technician, Department of Pediatrics, Zeichner Lab

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine seeks applicants for a Lab and Research Technician 1 or 2.

The position carries out research studies and assists in experiments for the Infectious Diseases Division the laboratory of Prof. Steven Zeichner, MD, PhD . The goal of the lab is to study infectious disease pathogenesis and work to develop new therapies and diagnostics for infectious diseases and cancers. We are working to develop new platform technologies that will enable the very rapid development of inexpensive and easily produced vaccines that will be appropriate both in rich and in developing countries. With this new technology we are working to produce concept vaccines for a variety of important viral diseases, from HIV to COVID-19. In addition to this work, we are actively working on developing new prophylactic vaccines for HIV and therapeutic cancer vaccines.

Dr. Zeichner gave a recent seminar at UVA on some of the work of the lab, which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLDJzvutnak  

Two recent papers include:

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2025622118

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssynbio.1c00375

The UVA Department of Pediatrics and the UVA Children’s Hospital share a common goal to enhance the health and well-being of children and families through collaborative medical care, education of professionals dedicated to pediatric healthcare, breakthrough research that improves lives, leadership, and community service.

For additional information about the position, please contact Dr. Steven Zeichner, at [email protected]

The successful candidate will be expected to: 

• Perform and assist with experiments involving recombinant DNA technology, immunology, and general molecular biology techniques, including the use of using animal models. 

• Responsibilities include working with small animals, laboratory procedures, assisting with collection and entry of data in electronic media and laboratory maintenance. 

•  Perform routine laboratory data analysis and procedures; independently prepare solutions and reagents; perform or learn to work with animal models; resolve problems and work accurately and with attention to detail. 

• Design experiments and synthetic DNAs that encode needed proteins.

• Plan and make purchases of scientific supplies and equipment for the lab. Interact with scientific supplies and equipment vendors. Maintain adequate inventory of scientific supplies. Plan for future needs and purchases.

• Maintain careful inventories of samples and reagents using the digital platforms employed by the lab.

• Must have ability to analyze and organize work procedures; plan and execute tasks or experiments; and interpret and report findings.

• Ship and receive samples from collaborating laboratories at other institutions.

• Prepare figures and tables summarizing results. The work will include some basic statistical analyses.

• Actively engage with the relevant scientific literature to understand the work in the lab and interpret results in the light of the current state of the field.

• Read and understand papers and grant proposals from the lab.

• Prepare initial draft reports for publications.

• Help train new lab members and visiting scientists and students.

• Ability to work with small laboratory animals and human samples. 

• Ability to work with pathogens under appropriate biosafety controls. 

• Complete short training sessions in biosafety, and laboratory animal safety and handling.

• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

- Lab and Research Technician 1

• High school diploma or equivalent

• At least 1 year of lab experience, which may include student experience. Bachelor's degree will be considered in lieu of experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or a bachelor’s degree in a non-STEM field with a minor in a STEM field and extensive experience in STEM field are preferred.

- Lab and Research Technician 2

• Associate's degree

• At least 2 years of lab experience which may include student experience. Bachelor's degree will be considered in lieu of experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or a bachelor’s degree in a non-STEM field with a minor in a STEM field and extensive experience in STEM field are preferred.

Physical Demands:

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation. 

This position is located in Charlottesville, VA. 
 

This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance.

The Anticipated hiring range is commensurate with education and experience.

This is a non-exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit: https://hr.virginia.edu/benefits

This position will remain open until filled. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.  

To Apply: 

Please apply through UVA Career Page and search for R0056267.

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs.’ Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV

• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration. 

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. 
 

For additional information regarding the application process, please contact Yelena Markazyan at [email protected]

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com  

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.