Job Details

Lab Technician

Position Number: 6789635
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Lab Technician

Job Summary

The Peterson lab at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology welcomes applicants for the position of research technician. Our lab uses the zebrafish model system and high-throughput screening to 1) perform mechanistic investigations of biological pathways in health and disease, 2) identify drug targets and therapies for understudied and/or rare diseases, and 3) design CRISPR-based genome-editing technologies that will improve both the efficiency and throughput of genome research for the zebrafish and wider scientific community. Current focuses in the lab include mitochondrial diseases, opioid addiction, ME/CFS, cyanide toxicity rescue, E3 ubiquitin ligase biology, mechanosensation, and high-throughput CRISPR-Cas9/single-cell RNA sequencing technology development.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities associated with this role include the design/implementation of experiments for one or several projects, and logistical laboratory management. The estimated time allocation for research: lab management will be 90:10. Please see Responsibilities section for a detailed list of laboratory duties.

Responsibilities

1. Work independently and/or with the guidance of senior laboratory personnel to design and perform experiments (major techniques include behavioral analyses: operation of ZebraBox and the lab's zebrafish opioid self-administration testing platform, compound treatment, genotyping/propagation of zebrafish models, PCR/RT-PCR, and molecular cloning).

2. Analyze data and present results to the lab. Depending on the project status there may also be opportunities to contribute data and writing toward publication.

3. Participate in meetings (weekly group meeting focusing on project presentation or journal club, biweekly research update meeting with principal investigator). Each lab member typically presents at group meeting every 2-3 months.

4. Perform assigned lab job (typically preparation of one common lab buffer and maintenance of one lab instrument, to be assigned upon beginning position).

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: combined office/laboratory environment, an aquarium system containing live zebrafish is maintained in the same space.

Often: exposure to zebrafish, zebrafish tissues, and aquarium water; organic solvents and other chemical hazards; proximity to moving mechanical components, electrical current, and UV/laser light sources.

Seldom: human cell lines.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: hearing, listening, talking.

Often: repetitive hand motion (such as typing and pipetting), walking, standing, sitting.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or other scientific disciplines in a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required; knowledge of complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials and substances. Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, ability to create and analyze statistical calculations and prepare reports required; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required. OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification may be required by some departments.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN43820B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: This position is on-site, Monday - Friday (typically 9 am-5 pm, hours can be flexible), 40 hours per week. Weekend attendance is required once (~20 min) every 3-4 weeks for the feeding of zebrafish maintained in the laboratory. Additional weekend and evening times may occur rarely in the event of a time-sensitive experiment or urgent issue involving the zebrafish aquarium system.
Department: 00276 - Pharmacology and Toxicology
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 20.00
Close Date: 12/19/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/193604