Lab Researcher - Gorska Lab

Summary

A Lab Researcher position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Magdalena Gorska (http://www.njhealth.org/gorska-lab). The lab studies non-genetic inheritance of predisposition to allergic diseases.

It is increasingly recognized that maternal environmental exposures and health status impact on fetal and neonatal immune systems, shaping offspring susceptibility to immune-mediated diseases, including allergies and asthma. Childhood asthma positively associates with maternal stress and maternal exposure to air pollutants, and negatively, with maternal exposure to microbes present in the farming environment. Mechanisms how maternal environment and health status affect the offspring immune system and predisposition to asthma are unclear. Dr. Gorska’s lab is focused on addressing these knowledge gaps.

The goals of the lab are to define maternal information that is gained and transmitted to offspring or lost and not transferred to offspring, elucidate routes of information transfer (placenta, breast milk, gametes), delineate offspring cells and pathways that are programmed by this information, and study how these cells and pathways contribute to the development of asthma. The lab has particular interest in cells and pathways of the immune system. The translational goals are to identify early-life biomarkers of predisposition to asthma in humans and define molecular targets for development of preventive drugs.

To accomplish these goals, the lab uses mouse models, human cord blood samples, blood samples from young children with asthma, and a variety of immunological, signaling, epigenetic and transcriptomics approaches.

Position Summary

The position is responsible for planning, developing, executing and monitoring testing techniques and investigative procedures under the direction of a Principal Investigator or Lab Manager.

Essential Duties

• Maintains laboratory records, supplies, samples in an organized manner (such as a laboratory notebook and sample storage record).
• Performs laboratory functions unique to the assigned laboratory.
• Oversees supply functions, inventory control, equipment use and maintenance, and animal care and ordering, as needed.
• Maintains compliance with all institutional / safety training requirements.
• Develops new techniques and investigative procedures, including scientific routines, computer programming techniques and data reporting techniques.
• Demonstrates enhanced proficiency in data analysis, preparation of glassware, extraction and plating procedures, programming and mathematical ordering systems.
• Prepares statistical tabulations, using a calculator or computer.
• Provides general guidance to laboratory staff, including technicians, support and auxiliary staff. Acts as a leader for laboratory programs and staff in assigned areas.
• Monitors quality control of routines, experiments, general laboratory activities and the use of research animals in the laboratory setting.
• Acts a liaison to other department personnel, outside investigators, and vendors.
• Performs routine and non-routine tests leading to the successful completion of developed experiments.

Other Duties

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
• Problem Solving: Uses issue identification, data relation and comparison, pattern recognition and information gathering to create analyses and make recommendations.
• Informing/Communicating: Conveys ideas, responses, or instructions effectively, appropriately, and persuasively through writing or speech.
• Professional Relationships: Interacts with others in a constructive, positive, and respectful manner, regardless of individual differences. Assists team members or co-workers in achieving personal goals and completing assignments.
• Laboratory Knowledge: Demonstrates and understands laboratory testing and methodology.
• Decision Quality: Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement. Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
• Innovation Management: Identifies key trends, opportunities, and organizational capabilities that would bring competitive advantage to the organization. Sees trends before others and integrates concepts in a unique way.
• Adaptability: Maintains effectiveness in the midst of change in work responsibilities or environment, requirements ambiguity, or stress.
• Drive for Excellence: Consistently meets performance expectations, ensures that accurate, objective, and timely measures of quality are made and used.

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

None

Travel

None

Core Values

• Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
• Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.
• Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
• Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
• Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
• Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the institution.
• Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
• Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: BS /BA Degree required
• Work Experience: 2 years of Laboratory Experience required.A Master’s Degree and laboratory experience may be substituted for the required 2 years of work experience.
• Special Training, Certification or Licensure: None

Salary Range: $21.00 - $25.00

Benefits

At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset.

With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Voluntary Benefits, like Accident Insurance, Critical Care and Hospital Indemnity
• Legal Plan
• Sick and Vacation Paid Time Off
• Wellness Program
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Medical Plans, Dental Plans and Vision Insurance
• FSA and HSA
• Retirement Plan