Research Technical Assistant

Department

BSD MIC - Randall Lab

About the Department

The University of Chicago Department of Microbiology has a distinguished legacy with over 200 Ph.D. graduates, many of whom have achieved national and international recognition.
The Randall Laboratory studies virus-host interactions to understand viral replication and pathogenesis, with a focus on medically important RNA viruses including hepatitis C virus, dengue virus, Zika virus, and norovirus — pathogens responsible for conditions such as liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hemorrhagic fever, congenital birth defects, and severe gastrointestinal illness. Having identified nearly 100 host cofactors of viral replication, the lab investigates how these cellular genes contribute to critical stages of the viral life cycle, including entry, protein translation, RNA replication, lipid metabolism, replication complex assembly, viral secretion, and innate immune control of infection.

Job Summary

The Research Technical Assistant will join the University of Chicago Department of Microbiology, a program with a distinguished legacy of training over 200 Ph.D. graduates who have gone on to achieve national and international recognition. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research at the Randall Laboratory, where scientists investigate virus-host interactions to advance our understanding of viral replication and pathogenesis — work with meaningful implications for antiviral therapeutic development worldwide.

The Research Technical Assistant will play an essential supporting role in the day-to-day operations of a fast-paced virology research environment. Responsibilities span routine laboratory maintenance and organization — including inventory management, equipment sterilization, reagent and media preparation, and safe biohazardous waste disposal — as well as direct experimental assistance in mammalian and bacterial cell culture, virology and microbiology workflows, and core molecular biology techniques such as PCR, molecular cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, and gel electrophoresis. The role requires meticulous documentation of experimental protocols and results in lab notebooks and digital databases, as well as preparation of data summaries for lab meeting presentations. All work will be conducted in accordance with Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) protocols and institutional safety standards. The Research Technical Assistant will also collaborate closely with fellow lab members, contributing to a team-oriented culture built on scientific rigor and shared purpose. This position is well-suited for a motivated individual eager to build foundational research skills while contributing to high-impact infectious disease science. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

• Lab Operations and Maintenance: Performs routine laboratory operations and organization, general lab housekeeping, inventory management, equipment cleaning and sterilization, reagent preparation, growth media, and buffers; dispose of biohazardous waste safely.

• Experimental Assistance: Helps develop and implement standard protocols, perform mammalian and/or bacterial cell culture, maintenance and transfections, execute virology/microbiology workflows as viral transductions, plaque assays, or microbial growth monitoring, and carry out basic molecular biology procedures, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, molecular cloning, and gel electrophoresis.

• Data Documentation: Collect, record, and meticulously document experimental protocols and results accurately in lab notebooks or digital databases; process, organize, and summarize data for presentations during lab meetings.

• Compliance: Performs work in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) conditions and animal facilities and follows strict protocols to prevent contamination or exposure.

• Collaborative Support: Collaborates and communicates with other lab members to support smooth day-to-day lab operations.

• This job provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment performing basic laboratory techniques, research and analysis under direction.

• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision.

• Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.

• Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Biological or Chemical Science.

Experience:

• Working wet-lab experiences in one of the following fields: molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, or microbiology.

• Fundamental pipetting and solution-preparation skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) for data entry, record keeping, and maintenance of research documentation.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to design and interpret complex experiments, synthesize data across multiple systems, and translate findings into testable hypotheses.

Working Conditions

• Lab environment, including wet laboratory and animal laboratory.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$19.23 - $26.44

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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