Research Technologist

The Piacentino Lab (https://piacentinolab.com) is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and energetic Research Technologist with interests in developmental biology and cell migration to join our growing team in the Department of Cell Biology. The Piacentino Lab is a basic science lab that studies the early development, invasion, and migration of the neural crest – a population of stem cells that produce the peripheral nervous system, the craniofacial skeleton, and many other cell types. We use chicken embryo, stem cell, and tissue culture systems to investigate how plasma membrane lipids regulate neural crest development and migration. We are excited to welcome new members committed to maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and engaging research environment.

The successful candidate will learn and apply relevant embryology, cellular and molecular biology, and imaging techniques to answer research questions aligned with the interests of the lab under the direct guidance of Dr. Piacentino. The selected candidate is expected to participate in weekly lab meetings, and successful completion of their research responsibilities will likely result in co-authorship on publications. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on research experience for those who may be interested in pursuing a biomedical sciences PhD or MD, as the candidate will learn and apply the theory behind cellular and molecular biology experiments, expand their analytical toolkit, and develop problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

The Research Technologist will also play a role in the early stages of lab setup and lab management. These duties include, but may not be limited to, ordering equipment and supplies, receiving shipments, setting up and maintaining equipment, and monitoring lab stocks and inventories. This position requires enthusiasm for scientific research, clear communication (written and oral), good time management skills, and effectiveness at working in a team.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Use basic science knowledge to learn and apply routine techniques in the lab — may include embryology, tissue culture, microscopy, image analysis, protein and RNA labeling and visualization, and other techniques associated with molecular biology, protein, and lipid biochemist.
• Gain problem solving skills through progressive training, understanding of the research, and experience.
• Prepare solutions and reagents following standard laboratory formulas and procedures.
• Ordering and setting up new equipment, monitoring inventory levels, ordering materials and supplies in accordance with established policies and procedures, and receiving and unpacking order.
• Operating basic (centrifuges, pH meters, analytical balances, thermocyclers, electrophoresis units, laminar fume hoods) and more sophisticated (widefield and confocal light microscopes, cryostats) laboratory equipment.
• Careful recordkeeping and data entry, use of databases and various software applications, such as spreadsheets, statistical packages, and graphics packages, to assemble, manipulate, and/or format data.
• Aid in training other lab members on standard equipment operation and routine lab techniques and procedures.
• Organization and maintenance of databases for common lab protocols and image analysis pipelines.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Dr. Piacentino and/or other lab members will gladly provide training in all general and specialized skills required for the work.
• Applicants must be willing to work with early chicken embryos and with various immortalized and cancer cell lines (including lines of human origin).
• General computer skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Applicants must be organized, self-motivated, and enthusiastic about research.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some related post-undergraduate work experience in a comparable laboratory.
• Experience with embryology and/or tissue culture.
• Working knowledge of developmental and/or cell biology.

Classified Title: Research Technologist
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC
Starting Salary Range: $15.00 - $20.40 - $25.50/hr (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: ​​​​​​​School of Medicine Campus
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM Cell Bio Cell Biology
Personnel area: School of Medicine

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:

JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Important legal information
http://hrnt.jhu.edu/legal.cfm