Molecular Immunology Research Technician in Inflammation & Autoimmunity

The Lessard lab is seeking a highly organized, motivated individual to contribute to projects investigating inflammation and autoimmunity. Not all diseases are created equal. Some diseases result from disruptions in a single gene, while others, including autoimmune diseases like lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, are influenced by multiple genes. In autoimmunity, the immune system mistakenly recognizes self-molecules as foreign, leading to inflammatory processes and tissue damage to organs and worse prognosis if not treated. While the precise causes of autoimmune diseases are not fully known, it is well accepted that most arise from a complex interplay of multiple genetic risk factors and environmental triggers. Genetic studies in these diseases require international collaborations to assemble the large patient and healthy control populations needed to conduct large-scale genome-wide associations studies. To date researchers have identified more than 100 genes in lupus. In contrast, only 15 genes have been identified in Sjögren’s syndrome.  The disparity between Sjögren’s and lupus is largely due to the lack of large, well-characterized patient collections and the later age of disease onset.

Duties will include performance of detailed molecular protocols, molecular cloning, quantitative RT-PCR, basic cell culture, ELISA assays, and organization of data into tabular and graphical forms.

BA/BS degree in one of the biological sciences, physics, or chemistry. Should be familiar with basic laboratory techniques. Basic knowledge of Internet and Microsoft Office software. Must be detail oriented. Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills. Must have the ability to work independently after initial training.

‍

Preferred Qualifications:

Undergraduate GPA 3.2 or higher.

Two years of relevant bench laboratory experience.

Fluency with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Prior molecular biology experience is preferred.

‍