Research Technician

About the Job:

Research Technician will be responsible for performing all tasks related to ocular tissue cell culture using standards established by The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration (EBSR); to identify research tissue meeting researcher specific protocols and prepare tissue for distribution; to perform laboratory maintenance procedures using standards established by EBSR.

Excellent organization and communication skills are important qualifications for this position, as well as the ability to work both independently and as a part of a team. The ideal candidate will have experience in both primary and immortal cell culturing and a desire to have a positive impact the lives of those suffering with ocular diseases.

Areas of Responsibility:

A. Primary ocular cell culture

1. Works on Primary cell culture: culture initiation, propagation, maintain cell lines,

cryopreservation of ocular cell line.

2. Maintains and updates all data including donor information, cell culture.

3. Maintains the inventory for cell lines, cell culture media, buffer preparation, and all plastic wares for cell culture.

4. Prepares dissection kits for cell dissection.

5. Prepares cells to meet the demands of researchers.

6. Adheres to quality control schedules for ensuring consistency of cell culture materials.

B. Research tissue distribution

1. Screens all research-authorized donors, and compares donor PMHx to researcher protocols.

2. Maintains EMR access to hospitals to review patient charts for research suitability including confirm consent authorization for research and/or education purposes.

3. Offers tissue to researchers and updates the tissue status including preparation of shipment, creating invoices, distribution research tissues and updating database information

4. Updates all information about research protocols and donor tissue inventory

5. Maintains inventory of research preservation media and fixatives; re-ordering and re-stocking, as needed.

6. Maintains a working knowledge of policies and procedures outlined in EBSR Ocular Laboratory Policy and Procedures Manual.

C. Laboratory Maintenance

1. Performs daily, weekly, monthly, and annual laboratory maintenance, as needed.

2. Prepare kits and instruments for donor tissue recovery as needed.

3. Packages research donor’s blood samples for serology test as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology
• 1 – 2 years relevant laboratory work experience, including mammalian cell culture
• Reports to Research Manager

Schedule: Monday through Friday from 3pm – 11pm (after training completed)

Salary: $50,000 - $55,000

The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits while valuing integrity, compassion, dedication and innovation. By joining this not-for-profit organization, you can become part of the mission to help restore sight.