Accounting, Administrative Skills, Analysis Skills, Animal Care, Assays, Biology, Calibration, Cancer, Cell Cultures, Click Through Rate (CTR), Communication Skills, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Data Entry, Data Management, Detail Oriented, Funding, Genotyping, Grant Writing, IRB/IEC (Institutional Review Board/Independent Ethics Committee), Immunology, Laboratory, Laboratory Notebook, Laboratory Operations, Maintain Compliance, Medicine, Molecular Biology, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Oncology, Operational Support, Operations, Organizational Skills, Patient Care, Patient Education, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Progress Reports, Regulations, Research Laboratory, Safety Compliance, Safety Standards, Scientific Research, Team Player, Technical Support, Translational Research, Writing Skills
Advertising Summary
Virginia Commonwealth University VCU School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU-sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.
Unit
Massey Comprehensive Cancer Ctr
MBU
Department Massey Research Support
Duties & Responsibilities
Overview
The Research Laboratory Technician will provide technical and operational support to the collaborative research programs of Dr. Jose Trevino Surgical Oncology and Dr. Seung Lee Transplant Surgery within the VCU Department of Surgery. This shared position will play a key role in advancing translational research focused on cancer biology, immunology, and transplant science.
The technician will assist in daily laboratory operations, including the maintenance of cell cultures, mouse colonies, and biospecimen inventories, as well as the preparation of reagents and execution of standard molecular, cellular, and histological techniques. Responsibilities include data collection and entry, ensuring compliance with institutional safety and regulatory standards, and coordinating with both principal investigators and laboratory staff to support ongoing research projects.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to work independently across two research teams, and a commitment to scientific rigor and collaboration.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Laboratory Operations & Maintenance
- Maintain laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment inventory for both research groups.
- Ensure proper use, cleaning, and calibration of shared equipment.
- Maintain compliance with biosafety, animal care, and institutional research standards.
Experimental Support
- Conduct molecular biology, cell culture, and immunological assays (e.g., PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry).
- Assist with animal studies, including mouse colony maintenance, genotyping, and tissue collection, with appropriate training and IACUC approval.
- Support sample processing, labeling, and storage of human and animal specimens.
- Collect, record, and analyze experimental data under supervision of the PIs and senior lab members.
Regulatory and Administrative Support
- Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic records.
- Assist in preparing materials for IACUC, IRB, and biosafety submissions and renewals.
- Ensure laboratory compliance with all VCU, NIH, and funding agency policies.
Collaboration and Communication
- Coordinate research efforts between the Trevino and Lee laboratories to support shared goals.
- Participate in lab meetings, report progress, and assist with manuscript and grant preparation as needed.
- Foster a collaborative, organized, and efficient shared laboratory environment.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- At least 1 year of lab experience, which may include student experience.
- Bachelors degree will be considered in lieu of experience.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge in relevant scientific field and research techniques and methods.
- Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.
- Analytical skills and problem-solving skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in a related field.
- Salary Range: $51,600 - $70,000
Benefits
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCUs robust benefits package, which includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Restricted Position
Yes
ORP Eligible
No
Flexible Work Arrangement
Fully Onsite
University Job Title
34051N - Lab Research Technician 1
Contact Information
Contact Name: Janelle Fortes
Contact Email: Janel. Fortes@vcuhealth.org