Department Summary: At the VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, our mission is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.

We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and secure patents and licensing agreements.

Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research community at VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Tissue and Data Acquisition and Analysis Core (TDAAC) is a shared research resource within the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center that provides specialized expertise and services in histology and pathology research. We are seeking a highly motivated Laboratory/Research Technician to support core operations by performing a range of histology and pathology services.

Under the supervision of the Operations Director and Laboratory Manager, the technician will support investigators by adhering to established standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality standards, and safety policies.  The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, service-oriented research environment. 

Job Duties: 

Histopathology Services

Preparation of labels for sample identification.

Label cassettes and slides.

Organize, gross, and load tissue into cassettes for processing and paraffin infiltration.

Embed and section tissue samples.

Run automated H&E stainer.

Maintaining standard operating procedures and safety protocols.

Customer Service

Engage with core users to support and facilitate their experimental needs, including scheduling and conducting intake and sample pick-up consultations.

Maintain clear and timely communication with users regarding project status, technical issues, delays, or unforeseen challenges.

Recordkeeping

Track service progress using our lab’s standard platforms (Smartsheet, Microsoft Suite, etc.)

Properly label user samples to ensure orders remain organized.

Documenting project specific techniques and any changes in SOPs.

General Laboratory and Administrative Duties

Connect with vendors and service engineers to ensure lab equipment remains operational.

Report to operations director and lab manager.

Monitor and maintain laboratory equipment and supplies necessary for operations.

Assist with the development and documentation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and adhere to them

Assist in organizing the lab space

Assist in ordering and billing

Must adhere to all lab safety policies and expectations.

Other Duties as Assigned

Other duties as assigned

Must be flexible, team-oriented, and eager to learn new tasks and responsibilities, while also supporting and collaborating effectively with other team members.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered

Coursework and laboratory experience in the basic sciences

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management and communication skills.

Ability to establish priorities and to handle multiple tasks.

Must be detail-oriented and have good observation skills. Should have a willingness to learn and use specialized techniques.

Previous experience working in a laboratory is required.

Preferred Qualifications

BS in biology or medical science or histotechnology certificate.

Over 3 years of experience with histology/pathology techniques.

Strong knowledge of histopathology processing protocols and laboratory best practices.

Independently manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines

Salary Range: 48,000 - 50,000

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.

Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation MBU

Department: VPRI Core Facilities

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 34051N - Lab/Research Technician 1