Senior Technician

Columbia University
United States, New York, New York
Oct 31, 2025
Job Type: Support Staff - Union Bargaining Unit: SSA Regular/Temporary: Regular End Date if Temporary: Hours Per Week: 35.00 Standard Work Schedule: Building: Salary Range: 61,042.40 - 61,042.40 The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. Position Summary The Rumora lab is looking for a highly-motivated laboratory technician to join the lab. The senior technician will conduct research projects to evaluate the effect of dietary fat on nerve function in models of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity. We are particularly interested in understanding the effect of fatty acids on mitochondrial transport and function in sensory neurons as a potential mechanism that contributes to the development of peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity. The technician will conduct in vitro cell culture experiments with primary neurons and neuronal cell lines including cell culture, fatty acid treatments, confocal microscopy, image analysis, and bioenergetics studies. Duties will also include in vivo animal research and husbandry, dissection, and tissue processing. This is a full-time position that will require occasional weekend work. Responsibilities Assist with new laboratory set up and organization. Conduct cell culture experiments with cell lines and primary cells. Collect, process, and analyze laboratory cell and animal samples Process dissected tissue samples, including embedding, sectioning, immunohistochemistry, imaging, and analyzing, etc. Perform immunohistochemistry and advanced cell imaging, including live-cell confocal microscopy Use laboratory computer programs to analyze data sets including Metamorph, Imaris, Photoshop, Excel, and Prism Perform molecular biology techniques, like western blotting, electrophoresis, RNA/DNA/Protein isolations, PCR, and tissue sectioning Conduct animal research and husbandry including administration of glucose tolerance tests, injections, recording weekly body weights and glucose levels, food changes, animal dissection, gene and protein expression analysis, immunohistochemistry, and analyzing and recording laboratory data. Assist with project team planning and training Other tasks as needed Minimum Qualifications Requires a bachelor's degree and at least 1.5 years of related experience or equivalent in education, training and experience. Preferred Qualifications Must be comfortable with learning and conducting animal work Organization, punctuality, and attention to detail Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team Possesses the ability to work independently with limited supervision after initial training A willingness to learn new computer analysis programs as needed Ability to take detailed laboratory notes Previous experience with laboratory techniques Proficiency in Microsoft Office, GraphPad Prism, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, and Metamorph Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.