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’s 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:

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Lab Technician to support the lab’s translational cancer research program focused on breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The position will assist with laboratory research and daily operations, including supporting in vitro and in vivo experiments, handling and monitoring laboratory animals, maintaining and organizing equipment and supplies, preparing specimens and laboratory materials, managing inventory, and documenting research data. The Senior Research Assistant will work closely with the PI, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and other laboratory staff, contributing both independently and collaboratively to the lab’s research efforts while providing general technical and logistical support.

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Core Responsibilities:

• Cell Culture: Maintain and expand a range of breast cancer and AML cell lines, primary patient-derived samples, and stem/progenitor cultures under sterile conditions, including establishing and troubleshooting new cell culture systems.
• Flow Cytometry: Design, execute, and analyze multi-color flow cytometry panels for immunophenotyping, cancer stem cell marker analysis (e.g., ALDH, surface markers), cell sorting (FACS) coordination, and apoptosis/proliferation assays.
• Animal Handling: Perform routine handling, breeding colony maintenance, genotyping, tumor cell implantation (orthotopic/xenograft), treatment dosing, and tissue harvesting in mouse models of breast cancer and leukemia, in full compliance with IACUC protocols.
• Molecular & Biochemical Assays: Conduct Western blotting, ELISA, qPCR, immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, and standard molecular cloning as needed to support ongoing projects.
• Lab Records & Compliance: Maintain detailed, audit-ready laboratory notebooks and electronic records; ensure compliance with institutional biosafety, chemical hygiene, and animal welfare regulations.
• Lab Management: Order and manage laboratory supplies and reagents, maintain shared equipment, and assist with training of new lab members and rotation students.
• Data Support: Assist with data organization, figure preparation, and summarization of results for lab meetings, manuscripts, and grant progress reports.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or a related life science field or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience, with demonstrated proficiency in mammalian cell culture technique, including primary cell and cancer stem cell culture.
• Substantial experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry, including panel design, sample preparation, and data analysis (e.g., FlowJo).
• Direct, hands-on experience with small animal (mouse) handling, including injections, tumor implantation, breeding colony management, and tissue collection; prior IACUC protocol experience strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous record-keeping habits, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• 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, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a cancer biology, hematology/oncology, or immunology research laboratory.
• Experience with cell sorting operation or coordination, ELISA/Western blotting, qPCR, or basic molecular cloning.
• Familiarity with xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models.
• Experience contributing to IACUC or IBC protocol preparation and renewal.

Salary Range: $50,000-$70,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, 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

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 3405S - Sr Lab/Research Technician Senior

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Cheyenne Taylor
Contact Email: Cheyenne.Taylor@vcuhealth.org