Dr. Xu’s laboratory at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota is looking to hire a Research Assistant (Lab technician). The research of the lab focuses on RNA regulatory network on metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. We are seeking a motivated and hardworking individual with excellent organizational skills, who can assist with a variety of projects in a competitive area of basic and translational research. The successful candidate will be under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and conduct experiments with guidance.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory management duties.
• Manage paperwork related to safety, procurement, and lab protocols
• Perform cell culture, molecular cloning, Western blot, real-time PCR and RNA extraction.
• Perform research work including mouse breeding, genotyping, and metabolic phenotyping

Required Qualifications

• BS or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Experiences on laboratory management procedures is preferred.
• Prior experiences in molecular biology, animal work or cell culture.

Focus of Job Responsibilities

70% – Ongoing Research

• Performing research projects.

15% – Analysis & Review

• Analysis and review of generated data and reviewing previously reported scientific literature.

15% – Lab Management

• Manage paperwork related to safety, procurement, and lab protocols.

Organ fibrosis results in a loss of normal tissue architecture and function and is accompanied by a combination of disrupted cell-cell interactions, adoption of abnormal cell fates and a scarred fibrotic matrix. The research of Qi Tan, PhD, focuses on lung fibrosis and lung regeneration.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other forms of pulmonary fibrosis are on the rise as the world population ages and are a major and growing medical burden. While two FDA-approved therapeutics moderately slow disease progression, they do not fundamentally alter the course of these diseases. Epithelial dysfunction has emerged as a central component of the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases including IPF. Understanding how those cells lose their identity and remain locked in aberrant states is central to the development of more effective therapies for IPF and is the central motivation for this project.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and lead scientific research efforts in a self-motivated manner;
• Conduct advanced experiments in biochemistry, cellular, and molecular biology relevant to fibrosis research;
• Carry out mice surgery to develop lung fibrosis model.
• Primary culture or/and FACS of lung-derived epithelial and mesenchymal cell populations;
• Cell/tissue imaging techniques such as fluorescence, confocal microscopy, etc;
• Analyze research methods and collect information and related studies to support the research claims;
• Write research reports and give scientific presentations;
• Maintain a safe, clean and healthy laboratory environment

Required Qualifications

• D., DDS, DVM, JD, MD or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates demonstrated the potential for research as evidenced by their training and peer-reviewed publications.
• Candidates with experience in organoid culture or/and small animal surgery model are a plus.
• Candidates interested in lung biology are strongly encouraged to apply.

Focus of Job Responsibilities

70% – Ongoing Research

• Design and implementation of hypothesis-driven research projects.

15% – Analysis & Review

• Analysis and review of generated data and reviewing previously reported scientific literature.

15% – Scientific writing

• Including reporting research findings in manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed biomedical journals and grant writing.
• Generation of figures for manuscripts and grants proposals.