Research Technician II

Summary

The laboratory of Dr. Leo Luznik at Baylor College of Medicine is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Research Technician II to join the translational research team. The lab investigates the immune microenvironment in leukemia, with a focus on post-transplant immune reconstitution, T cell exhaustion, immune escape mechanisms, and novel immunotherapeutic strategies. They employ a range of cutting-edge techniques including single-cell multi-omics, in vivo leukemia models, and immunophenotyping platforms such as flow cytometry, CyTOF, and CITE-seq.

This position provides an opportunity to contribute to high-impact research at the interface of immunology, cancer biology, and stem cell transplantation. The technician will work closely with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students to support in vivo and ex vivo experiments and generate critical data for CPRIT-funded projects. Pre-medical students interested in gaining translational research experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Join the team to contribute to impactful research on immune mechanisms in leukemia and help develop the next generation of immune-based therapies for cancer.

Job Duties

• Manages and maintains transgenic and immunocompromised mouse colonies, including genotyping, breeding, and induction protocols.
• Conducts bone marrow transplantation, T cell isolation, adoptive cell transfer, and in vivo drug treatments.
• Performs immune profiling using multicolor flow cytometry and assists in CyTOF and CITE-seq experiments.
• Prepares biological samples (blood, marrow, spleen, lymph nodes) for downstream molecular assays including RNA/DNA extraction, qPCR, and single-cell library prep.
• Assists with viral vector preparation and transduction protocols for immune and leukemia cell engineering.
• Maintains accurate laboratory records, organizes inventory, and supports regulatory compliance (IACUC, biosafety).
• Compiles experimental data and contributes to figures, lab reports, and scientific presentations.
• Coordinates with internal core facilities for sequencing, histopathology, and cytometry services.
• Assists in training students and new lab members as needed.
• Occasionally supports experiments outside of regular hours that includes weekends.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in an academic research lab working with murine models and/or immunologic assays.
• Experience in flow cytometry, cell isolation, and immune cell functional assays.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and basic data analysis tools (GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, or similar).
• Has familiarity with mouse handling, tissue collection, and basic molecular biology techniques.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.