• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: SSA
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $47,613.23

Position Summary

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center seeks a Technician B with a background in biological research to join a dynamic research lab that conducts research into malaria. The technician will play a key role in our investigations into mechanisms of Plasmodium falciparum parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs. The goals are to genetically map drug resistance traits in parasites through the use of genetic crosses recently concluded in the Fidock lab between drug-resistant and -sensitive parasites. This project is supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Responsibilities

The technician will be responsible for propagating cross progeny, testing their clonal integrity, conducting drug susceptibility assays with the progeny and parents, making cryopreserved stocks, and helping assemble genetic maps to positionally locate the resistance-conferring genes. The technician will also help with testing candidate genes using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. The goals are to define genes that mediate resistance to the antimalarial drugs in Southeast Asia and South America where resistance to current first-line antimalarial drugs has emerged. The technician will also assist with general lab management including maintaining adequate supplies of reagents.

Essential functions include:

• Parasite culture work
• Phenotypic analyses of cross progeny
• Molecular biology
• Data analysis
• *Related duties as assigned  

This job offers the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge research into defining the genetic basis of drug resistance for a disease that has a vast impact on the tropical regions of the world (with over 200 million cases yearly). The hired research technician will work in a vibrant environment of ~16 researchers recruited from around the world. Our group is well-funded, very interactive and highly productive in publications per year (see Fidock Lab at www.fidock.org). Our research technicians typically continue into PhD, MD or MD/PhD programs upon having completed two years of research in the lab. We seek applicants who are highly motivated, self-sufficient, interactive, detail-oriented, passionate about infectious diseases research and global health, and enjoy genetics and molecular and cell biology research.

To be considered, applicants should include their CV including a summary of research experience, transcript, and statement of interest.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or related science, or equivalent in education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience and technical proficiency in molecular biology and/or cell culture is preferred but not essential.

Other Requirements

• Must have undergraduate university course work in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology or genetics.

• Technician will have contact with Blood-borne pathogens  (Plasmodium falciparum, routine Biosafety Level 2 precautions) and Chemicals (none toxic)

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.