Flow Cytometry Scientist

Summary:

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) at VCU invites candidates to apply for an exciting opportunity as the Flow Cytometry Scientist in the Flow Cytometry Core at VCU. This position will provide highly skilled expertise in equipment operation and maintenance. To train core personnel in the operation and maintenance of cutting edge core equipment. To train individual users of the core in use of the instrumentation and to supervise usage of this equipment. To provide extensive consultation and training to users regarding experimental design, methodology, instrument capabilities, troubleshooting, routine data analysis, and complex data analysis. To keep up to date in new flow cytometry techniques and methods, instrumentation, and analysis practices/platforms. Incorporate best practices as appropriate in a fast-paced work environment and complete all operations in a timely and highly accurate manner.

Typical Duties:

Serve as technical expert, teach, supervise, design and perform flow cytometry analyses

Provide extensive technical/consultative assistance to users and other core employees; apply knowledge of immunology and flow cytometry in advising investigators about experimental methodology and appropriate application of this technology to research questions, problem solve, troubleshoot, evaluate and interpret results. Design/perform/oversee customized and complex flow cytometry analysis and/or cell sorting on a wide variety of cell and tissue samples.
Ensure scientific accuracy, timeliness and quality of services. Design/conduct classes in cytometry principles/instrumentation for principal investigators, staff and students from VCU and outside VCU.
Provide hands-on training in operation of flow cytometers. Overall provide high-quality customer service. The job requires extensive knowledge of human and murine immunology, antibodies, staining techniques, fluorescence excitation and emission, and general cellular biology. Additional requirements include significant expertise in multi-color flow analysis, multi-color cell sorting, and high parameter spectral analysis using heterogeneous cell populations. Experience in single-cell sorting.
Complex data analysis and training in complex data analysis will be additionally be key. Knowledge of software packages essential for complex data analysis, FlowJo, R, and Prism GraphPad. Maintains the highest standards of data ethics and integrity.

Maintain state-of-the-art Flow Cytometry Resource Core

Train users in instrumentation use, analysis, safety procedures, and daily maintenance. Develop and implement all skills needed to utilize, maintain, educate and train users, and analyze data from the following and all future core equipment. Implement new software and hardware as needed. Schedule and oversee instrument service. Write sole source justifications. Troubleshoot hardware and software problems. Perform routine maintenance on resource equipment. Maintain equipment and maintenance logs. Maintain custom databases. Order lab supplies and manage inventory. Maintain good laboratory practices. In addition to normal business hours, hours will include evening work as job duties demand. Be able to remain in a standing position for several hours. Be able to lift 40 pounds. Assist with HEETF grant applications and other equipment grant applications to acquire new instrumentation for the flow core.

Develop shared Flow Cytometry Resource Core

Keep abreast of major advances in technology and new applications for flow cytometry. Learn and apply new data analysis platforms and techniques. Maintain knowledge of the software packages needed for complex data analysis. Read journals and attend meetings and seminars relevant to flow cytometry and distill information for distribution to FCSR core personnel and users.

Risk management

Demonstrates a commitment to risk assessment (considering cost, benefit, and impact). Utilizes identified internal control mechanisms. Practices routine verification of data accuracy. Pass yearly required biosafety tests. Ensure that quality control standards and safety procedures are in compliance with government regulations and laws. Ensure compliance with safety standards and procedures by core personnel and users.

Other duties as assigned

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in immunology or related field with at least 2 years of multi-parameter flow cytometry experience with complex data analysis. The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU. The successful candidate will be an organized and responsible individual. They will be dedicated to supporting scientific research in a shared resource laboratory. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. The individual must be capable of executing tasks in an organized manner in a core laboratory environment. The individual will need experience with troubleshooting of scientific instrumentation, identifying problems with processes or equipment, addressing technical issues and/or calling for service when required. Candidates should have 4 or more year’s experiences in hands-on flow cytometry, preferably with 12 or more fluorophores. Candidates should be capable of independently analyzing Flow data (at least up to 16 parameters) using FlowJo. Candidates with hands-on experience in the operation and maintenance of Cytek Spectral instrumentation, high-parameter panel design, and high-parameter data analysis (20-plus parameters) will be given priority.

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters in related scientific field with 3 - 5 years of multi-parameter flow cytometry experience with complex data analysis

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

Emotional Demands:
E Fast Pace
M Average Pace
E Multiple Stimuli
E Frequent change
E Intense customer interaction

Physical Demands and Activities:
E Light lifting (<20 lbs.)
M Moderate lifting (20-50 lbs.)
N/A Heavy lifting (>50 lbs.)
M Pushing/pulling
M Walking
M Standing
M Climbing
M Sitting
E Reaching
M Repetitive motion
M Bending

Mental/Sensory Demands:
E Memory
E Reasoning
E Hearing
E Reading
E Analyzing
E Logic
E Written communication
E Verbal communication

Environmental Conditions:
M Extreme heat/cold
M Fumes
M Extreme noise
N/A Mists/gases
M Vibrations

Salary Range: 55,000 - 70,000



Position Details:

Department: Office of Research
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt

UAP - Scientist RS 2 (33242)

ORP Eligible - No

Exempt