Job Position

Do you have a mechanism to distribute this full-time Lab Tech opportunity (attached) to recent pre-health grads? I am sure that many have had their fall school/work experiences disrupted, and I would love to help them gain additional research experience. I am open to special arrangements for those graduating this December, too.

Thanks in advance,

~Dr. Simmons

Chelsey S. Simmons, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Affiliate of Department of Biomedical Engineering

Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, College of Medicine, by courtesy

University of Florida

Office: MAE-B 222

Mail: PO Box 116250

Gainesville, FL 32611

css@ufl.edu

(w) 352 392 4365

(m) 352 213 5678

(tweet) @chelseyphd

https://faculty.eng.ufl.edu/simmons-mechanobiology-lab/

Laboratory Technician (OPS)

The Simmons Mechanobiology Lab in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is recruiting a full-time technician to work on an NIH-funded project in regenerative biology. Our team uses engineering approaches to understand the relationship between cell function and tissue mechanics. Of particular interest is the African Spiny Mouse (Acomys spp.), a mammal with known regenerative properties whose tissues exhibit surprising responses to mechanical stimuli. We have demonstrated that the mechanotransduction of Acomys cells diverges from normal mouse cells, and we are working with animal models to identify molecular mechanisms of mammalian regeneration.

Technician will support in vivo experiments to understand the relationship of resident cells (e.g. fibroblasts) and blood cells (e.g. macrophages) in Spiny Mouse regeneration. They will perform directed research under supervision of the PI and postdoctoral fellow(s) and contribute to general lab maintenance and safety.

Job duties may include and are not limited to: • Rodent handling and simple surgical procedures • Gene/protein assays such as RNA isolation, QPCR, ELISA, Western blot • Immunohisto/cytochemistry, histology preparations, and fluorescence microscopy • Mammalian cell culture, i.e. primary cell isolation, sorting, transfection, transduction • Biohazard and hazardous waste management

Preferred experience and skills:  • Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, or related field • Laboratory experience relevant to job duties, including animal work, cellular biology, and/or molecular biology • Meticulous record keeping and attention to detail • Strong communication skills

Compensation ranges from $14-20/hour depending on qualifications and experience. Typical work schedule will be 30-40 hrs/wk, and candidate should be willing and able to accommodate occasional urgent procedures outside of normal business hours.

Applicants should submit a brief letter of interest (1-2 paragraphs highlighting relevant qualifications and detailing your specific interest in this position), a CV or resume, and contact information for 2-3 references by email to css@ufl.edu