Summary

The Carotenoids and Nutrition Lab in the Children’s Nutrition Research Center focuses on how carotenoids, a class of colorful compounds in fruits and vegetables, are absorbed and metabolized, promote health, and be utilized as biomarkers of dietary intake.
Lab members are encouraged to engage in opportunities to advance their professional skills and scientific expertise. Works effectively on a team and has a zest for organization and accomplishing goals.
Job tasks will include cleaning and maintaining lab equipment and supplies, and working with biologic materials (human cell lines, blood, and specimens), analytical chemistry of carotenoids and other dietary compounds (extractions and HPLC), and routine lab analyses (colorimetric assays, ELISAs) under established procedures to assure personal and lab safety. Job duties will be overseen by laboratory staff and laboratory director.This is a part-time position, 10 hours/week.

Job Duties

• Prepares supplies and reagents for laboratory assays and specimen collection.
• Collects bio-specimens and places them in storage.
• Operates autoclave.
• Retrieves, washes, dries, sterilizes, and redistributes laboratory glassware.
• Enters data.
• Documents results of experiments.
• Maintains related databases of lab inventory.
• Conducts basic experiments under the oversight of more senior personnel.
• Engages in good laboratory practices such as keeping the laboratory areas clean and organized.
• Performs routine maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Participates in the scholarship of the laboratory.
• Helps research coordinators with research volunteer recruitment and correspondence.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Enrolled in or completion of at least one college-level wet laboratory course.
• Current pursuing a Bachelor\'s degree in a related basic or applied science: chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, nutrition, kinesiology, health sciences.
• Demonstrated interest in biological science through advanced coursework or participation in special science-focused clubs or programs.
• Second year of Bachelor\'s degree or beyond, demonstrated academic success in science coursework.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and will be self-motivated, reliable, efficient, methodical, and show an attention to detail.