Summary

Research in the Hecker laboratory is broadly focused on lung injury-repair responses related to fibrotic and acute lung injury in the following areas: (1) understanding how normal physiologic repair responses “go awry” in aging, (2) how this contributes to the pathogenesis of age-dependent lung diseases, and (3) the development of novel treatments that target age-associated pathological mechanisms to ultimately promote repair.

The candidate will assist in the intellectual and technical aspects of research experiments within the lab. Responsibilities include organizing and executing mouse surgeries, drug delivery, tissue collection, cell culture, assays, qPCR, and Western blot. Significant prior experience in an academic research lab will be required. The ideal candidate can troubleshoot effectively, can work independently with minimal supervision and as part of the team.

Job Duties

• Plans and executes mouse studies: Candidate works with PI to design and conduct mouse studies. Monitors mice during studies to identify sick animals and provide palliative care. Performs surgical prep, anesthesia, post-operative care, CO2 euthanasia, collects blood, and dissects organs. Prepares and archives records of animal care and study data sheets.
• Performs in vivo drug delivery: Prepares and administers drugs (oral gavage, intranasal, retro-orbital, intra-peritoneal, and subcutaneous).
• Processes mouse specimens: Isolates plasma from blood, isolates cells from BALF, and processes tissues for isolation of protein, RNA, or DNA. Maintains accurate summaries of frozen tissues, histology, and processed samples.
• Cell and molecular biology research: Conducts cell culture, cell-based assays (oxidative stress, cell viability, senescence, apoptosis, proliferation), qPCR, Western Blot, and ELISA. May handle human cells and samples.
• Troubleshoots protocols: Reviews scientific literature to recommend protocol changes or identify new assays/methodologies as needed.
• Analyzes and interprets data: Graphs data with GraphPad Prism, interprets findings, presents results to team, and recommends future directions. Prepares data for manuscript and grant submission.
• Assists with routine lab duties: Oversees biohazardous and chemical waste disposal. Maintains lab equipment, arranges for service repairs, and ensures that all machines are in good working condition. Prepares inventories of chemicals, drugs, cell stocks, and tissue samples. Monitors supplies for re-ordering.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
• Three years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in basic science or a related field.
• The ideal candidate is a highly motivated individual that wants to join a team-oriented lab carrying out research in these areas.
  Functional Competencies:
  
  • Proficiency in Microsoft suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Effective communication skills and ability to work with a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment to accomplish goals
  • Ability to break down complex scientific challenges, identify root causes, and apply critical thinking to develop innovative solutions.
  • Ability to analyze data meticulously, interpret results accurately, and make informed decisions based on evidence.
  • Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems: to think logically, adapt to new information, and approach problems with a structured, methodical mindset.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to follow complex instructions and function with minimal supervision
  • Attitude of growth, willingness to learn new skills, and a commitment to process improvement.
  • Respects previously established lab protocols to ensure study reproducibility. Complies with lab systems (record-keeping and archiving of data) to ensure methodology, data, and samples can be retrieved from archives quickly.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.