Junior, Assistant, Associate, or Full Specialist

About the Role

The Henrich Lab is seeking support for its translational virology/immunology research. This role involves daily sample processing of human blood and tissue, and testing using specific platforms for viral and viral-host response. The position will contribute to the intellectual design of novel research directions and strategies, assist with manuscript preparation, and communicate scientific findings.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Henrich translational virology/immunology lab with day-to-day sample processing (mainly human blood and tissue samples) and testing using specific platforms for viral and viral-host response testing.
• Assist with the intellectual design of novel research directions and strategies.
• Assist with manuscript preparation and communication of scientific findings with the larger scientific community.
• Design and execute high-parameter flow cytometry assays for in vivo, pre-clinical, and translational studies.
• Train and educate new users in best practices for performing flow cytometry experiments and other viral-host response assays.
• Manage daily operation of various laboratory equipment, including flow cytometry, antibody/antigen quantification platforms, and immunodeficiency-related equipment.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and operational procedures.
• Isolate primary immune cells from blood and tissue for downstream phenotypic and functional assays.
• Train and mentor graduate students and SRAs on panel design and best practices for laboratory protocols.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance to ensure accurate, reproducible, and high-quality research results.
• Work with HIV and other chronic viral infection assays and pathogenesis research, including SARS-CoV-2.
• Provide hands-on training on multi-parameter flow cytometry and flow sorting.
• Assist with Principal Investigator (PI) project design, implementation, and interpretation.
• Assist with the management of data and equipment.
• Assist with new viral-host response panel development projects.
• Perform data analysis using flow cytometry analysis software.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices for flow cytometry.
• Provide training for the use of laboratory platforms.
• Mentor and train junior staff members in the laboratory.
• Serve on Division committees.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Flow cytometry
• High-dimensional flow cytometry
• Cell sorting
• Multiplexed RT-qPCR
• Panel design
• HIV assays
• Chronic viral infection assays
• SARS-CoV-2 assays
• Flow cytometry analysis software
• RNA preparation (implied by "Basic RNA assay work")
• Human blood and tissue samples

Qualifications

• Junior Specialist: Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience.
• Assistant Specialist: Master’s degree or a baccalaureate degree with at least 3 or more years of research experience.
• Associate Specialist: Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or at least five to ten years of experience in the relevant specialization.
• Full Specialist: Terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or at least ten or more years of experience in the relevant specialization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and research experience in cellular immunology and/or molecular biology of viral infections and T cells.
• Basic RNA assay work (e.g. RNA preparation).
• Experience in flow cytometry and/or spatial multiomic analyses.
• Assisting manuscripts and reports.
• Assisting grant applications.

Additional Requirements:

• Applicants’ materials must list current and/or pending qualifications upon submission.
• Applicants must meet all basic qualifications by time of hire.
• Finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.