Research Technologist Sr-De Plaen Lab

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

A senior research technician position is immediately available in the laboratory of Isabelle De Plaen at the Simpson Querrey Research Center at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago/ Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

This position offers an outstanding opportunity for highly motivated professional interested in advancing our understanding of the mechanisms causing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and helping develop innovative preventative/therapeutic approaches to prevent or limit the progression of the disease.

De Plaen Laboratory investigates the pathogenesis of NEC, a devastating and life-threatening disease of the intestine affecting premature infants. The research program focuses on how embryonic macrophages promote blood and lymphatic microvasculature development during the perinatal period.

Furthermore, it investigates how this process is impaired during NEC development to identify preventative/therapeutic approaches for NEC. To do so, they are using established mouse models, high-resolution three-dimensional imaging, and single-cell and spatial transcriptomic approaches.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities, outstanding scientific resources, and extensive opportunities for professional development.

Candidates should hold a BA and significant experience as lab technician (5 years or more) and have demonstrated experience with mouse models of disease. A background in blood or lymphatic biology, gastrointestinal research, immunology, or related fields is highly desirable.
 

Job Duties:

• Acting as a technical expert or specialist in a particular field within a research lab, establishes &    optimizes protocols & coordinates conduct of multiple complex experiments.
• Reviews results & revises protocols as necessary to ensure that project objectives are attained.  
• Oversees & manages lab databases which may include ensuring that experiments are observed & that data is collected & entered correctly. Reviews & analyzes data. Creates computer models, graphs, reports & summaries for use in publications, professional journals, & grant applications.  
• Co-authors scientific papers for presentation & publication.  
• Researches & obtains funding.  
• Creates & maintains lab manuals regarding operating, safety, etc. procedures.  
• Creates lab financial plan & budget/audit expenses. Obtains sales quotes for lab equipment & supplies.
•   Reviews & adjusts expenses to decrease costs.
• Oversees repair & maintenance of all lab equipment. Ensures that lab supplies are ready & available when necessary.  
• Other job functions as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 5 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience required; OR Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 year lab/bench or other relevant experience. 
• Working knowledge of computers, ability to troubleshoot, work independently, and function as a team member is essential.  Therefore, experience in regular interaction with outside groups is highly desirable.
• Excellent command of the English language and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to establish priorities, react promptly to a large variety of requests, and the ability to keep the workplace clean and organized.
   

Education

Pay Range

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: [email protected]

AI Notice 

Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.

It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.

For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: [email protected]