Staff Associate I

The laboratory of Dr. Laura Landweber in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University Medical Center is seeking a Staff Associate I to be responsible for laboratory management, including inventory, ordering and maintaining laboratory supplies and equipment, cell culture of microbial eukaryotes (ciliates and algae), preparation of media, buffers, competent cells and reagents, electrophoresis, database management and communication with facilities and other staff.

Specific responsibilities and duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Functional Knowledge:

Maintain consistent and contamination-free laboratory cultures of Chlamydomonas and assist with large-scale culturing Oxytricha.

Problem-Solving:

Help and assist in preventing and troubleshooting contamination, equipment maintenance, including preventative maintenance on appropriate schedules, and both major and minor equipment repair.

Decision Making/Autonomy:

Daily responsibility and autonomy include ordering, restocking of common lab supplies, and placing individual orders with vendors. Negotiates the best pricing with vendors and provides updates to PI.

Technical expertise:

Passaging and maintaining live, continuous eukaryotic cell cultures and frozen stocks, preparing solutions, sterile media, glassware, and eukaryotic cell cultures.

Communication:

Liaison between lab members, vendors, service providers, and CUMC facilities staff. Communicate with PI and laboratory team members as needed and report on a daily basis.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in a biological subject, such as microbiology or biochemistry.

Specific skills and/or knowledge required for the position.

Must be skilled in sterile technique, stoichiometry, database management, excellent organization, and communication skills.

Preferred Requirements:

Four years of professional work experience is preferred.