Position Title: Laboratory Technician

Location: Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation is based in Phoenix, Arizona on the Phoenix VA Medical Center Campus. Laboratory offices are situated in the beautiful Partnership building in downtown Phoenix in the middle of the University of Arizona/Arizona State University/Veterans Affairs academic triangle.

Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/ week)

Minimum Contract Obligations: 1 year, grant funded

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications: $21 - $32/ hour

Join a great team working with our military veterans!

We are a non-profit medical research organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. At Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation (AVREF), we offer our team members the opportunity to work on impactful research that benefits veterans’ health, while enjoying a competitive salary, generous benefits, a collaborative environment, and flexible scheduling.

About Us:

Arizona Veterans Research and Education Foundation (AVREF) uniquely partners with the Phoenix Veterans Administration Health Services, universities, and pharmaceutical/ device companies to conduct research benefiting military veterans. Our Research makes a difference! We bring cutting-edge research opportunities to veterans, improving their lives.

The Position:

We’re looking for a Laboratory and Animal Technician. Depending on experience and qualifications, the position may involve assuming the role of Laboratory Manager and being appointed as Research Associate. The Laboratory and Animal Technician will perform basic laboratory procedures and small animal (rodent) handling. The salary range reflects industry standards, and we offer a robust benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, short and long-term disability benefits, a Simple IRA with matching funds (immediate vesting), vacation, and sick leave

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience as laboratory technician or relevant position.
• Knowledge of handling tissue cultures, use of pipettes, aseptic techniques
• Knowledge of and ability to perform Western blots, polymerase chain reactions, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and protein quantification
• Experience in small animal (mouse or rat) care, handling, injections
• Knowledge of and ability to perform tissue dissection, paraffin blocking, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence and microscopy skills
• Experience in operating laboratory equipment and potentially dangerous substances (flammable liquids, infections bacteria, biohazards etc.)
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure
• Degree in biology, chemistry, or relevant field
• Experience in molecular cloning using plasmids and bacteria, familiarity with procedures involving lentivirus, flow cytometry, FACS is a plus but not required
• Additional experience in being Lab Manager and Research Scientist will be included in the consideration, but not required

Responsibilities:

• Assists with one or more phases of research processes by performing a variety of technical duties in a laboratory.
• Perform routine and recurring techniques and studies using specialized equipment
• Maintains, calibrates, and modifies equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures
• Collects, prepares, and analyzes samples
• Record all data and results in specified forms (paper and electronic) with accuracy and responsibly
• Maintain equipment and assist in ordering laboratory supplies.
• Ensure all safety guidelines are always followed and maintain a clean work environment
• Ensures efficient functioning of the Laboratory to achieve research objectives.
• Assists in ordering supplies, inventories, and logistics necessary for laboratory functioning.
• Take care of regulatory requirements for compliance as regards chemicals, supplies, procedures and processes.
• Coordinate with team members, other lab teams, colleagues, and collaborators to ensure optimal collaboration
• Reports to project PI on inventory needs, supplies, equipment, and equipment status
• If qualifications and experience merit consideration as Lab Manager/Research Associate, additional responsibilities will be lead role in logistics and lab management as well as scientific tasks such as study design , grant and manuscript writing, scientific analyses and presentation