Core Technologist Sr

Department: MED-Center for Genetic Med
Salary/Grade: NEX/14

Target hiring range for this position will be between $25.05-$31.31 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Marketing Statement:

The NUSeq (Genomics) Core Facility invites applications for a Core Technologist to join a dynamic team advancing cutting-edge genomics research. NUSeq is the only university-wide genomics core facility at Northwestern, spanning wet lab and bioinformatics operations, supporting both the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and the Evanston Campus, as well as external academic and industrial organizations. The facility houses a fleet of state-of-the-art sequencing platforms, including Illumina NovaSeq X Plus, MiSeq i100, Element AVITI, Complete Genomics T1+, PacBio Revio, and Oxford Nanopore technologies. We are also deeply invested in emerging technologies, including single cell multiomics (since 2017) and spatial transcriptomics (since 2021). NUSeq processes high volumes of samples across a wide range of applications, including RNA-seq, whole genome and exome sequencing, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, methyl-seq, microbiome profiling, and more.

With a user base of 2,600 researchers across 1,000 research groups, NUSeq plays a pivotal role in enabling high-impact science across diverse disciplines. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of genomics in a collaborative, fast-paced, and innovation-driven environment.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated next-generation sequencing (NGS) specialist to support and expand NUSeq's wet lab operations. This role is ideal for candidates who thrive in collaborative environments and are passionate about enabling cutting-edge biomedical research. The successful candidate will have hands-on experience with NGS library, strong attention to detail, and demonstrated troubleshooting ability, along with excellent organizational and communication skills. The Core Technologist will contribute to the execution, optimization, and scaling of NGS workflows, and play an active role in supporting diverse research projects.

Job Summary:

Provides daily work oversight and executes research activities. Oversees service workflow in consultation and support of users and junior staff executing procedures. Assists in the development and implementation of new core services, and other core laboratory and research functions. Ensures overall quality of research functions and responsible for unit's compliance in regard to University, sponsor and federal rules and regulations.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Ensures client billing information is complete and accurate.
• Compiles billing information for documenting usage and billing information into the Core's automated service tracking/billing system.
• Develops cost analyses on services rendered by the Core.
• Assists in preparing cost quotes on experimental design requested by investigators.
• Ensures that all work is accurately and completely documented.

Collaboration

• Interacts with both Core Staff and clients in the planning and execution of experiments/ core services.
• Advises PIs as appropriate.

Compliance

• Responsible for the Core's compliance with safety protocols, relative to the use of combustibles, radioactivity, toxic material, and/or carcinogenics.
• Ensures sterile conditions as required.
• Prepares reagents.

Scientific

• Plans, conducts and evaluates experiments and assays of varying complexity.
• Understands, follows, and troubleshoots protocols.
• Records, compiles, and reports data
• Provides analysis and insightful interpretations of results.
• Participates in beta-testing of new protocols and services.

Technical

• Develops new methods or customizes protocols for users.
• Ensures lab is prepared for service delivery (experimentation)
• Ensures established inventory levels, and notes usage trends so that inventory levels meet client demand.
• Ensures the recommended maintenance on instrumentation and equipment is performed according to manufacturer and University guideline.
• Troubleshoots equipment problems, and mitigates the issues with training and/or repair protocols.
• Recommends equipment improvements and/or new equipment.
• Assists in the development of usage protocols for new equipment.
• Ensures compliance with all University, sponsor and federal rules and regulations.
• Using an advanced level of skill, completes the following activities (please highlight):

Molecular Biology:

• DNA, RNA, Protein isolation, purification and expression
• Southern, Northern, Western blotting
• PCR, RT-PCR
• Plasmid preparation
• Cloning, mapping and sequencing of DNA

• Recombinant virus production and purification

Cellular Biology:

• Cell culture, cell isolation
• Functional studies
• Transfection
• Immunofluorescence assays

• Image analysis and quantification

Chemistry:

• Analyze organic chemistry
• Column chromatography
• Chromatography
• Enzymatic digestions
• HPLC
• NMR
• Mass spectrometry
• Protein extractions

• Solid phase extraction

Histology:

• Tissue fixation/processing: embedding, preparation of blocks and sectioning, staining
• Immunohistochemistry

Microscopy Immunology:

• Flow cytometry
• ELISA, Elispot assay
• Cytokine assay

• Antibody production and purification

Animal:

• Husbandry
• Breeding and screening transgenic mice
• Dissections
• Blood collection
• Surgical procedures

• Database management of colony

Equipment Used:

• Analytical balance
• Autoclave
• Blood gas analyzers
• Centrifuge
• Electrophoresis unit
• pH meter
• UV/Vis Spectrophotometer
• Scintillation counter

• pH meter, plate reader

Other (please specify):

• Sequencers
• Real-time qPCR and digital PCR instruments
• Other genomics instruments

Training:

• Trains or assists in training of technicians and trainees including students.
• Provides training to researchers in instrument and equipment operation.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree;
• 4 years of technical or other relevant experience.
  

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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