About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Research Fellow will work closely with other lab members, under the direct supervision of Dr. Alissa Rothchild, to support the general research efforts of the lab and as a key player in multiple ongoing projects in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

The Rothchild lab (https://rothchildlab.com/) is focused on understanding the role of macrophages as innate immune sentinels in the lung during infection with the bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a pathogen of global health significance. The lab applies a combination of immunological and microbiological techniques to a mouse model of infection to uncover mechanisms of immune regulation and potential therapeutic targets.

Essential Functions

• Managing the lab’s mouse colony (genotyping, colony maintenance).
• Conducting research experiments in BSL-3 and ABSL-3 facilities with pathogenic bacteria.
• Tissue collection and analysis.
• Ordering and organizing supplies and reagents.
• Preparing media and reagents for experiments.
• Data organization and analysis.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. 
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• B.A. or B.S. in Animal Science, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or related field.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills. Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to work as part of a research team with good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to work with mouse models.
• Willingness to perform Biosafety Level-3 work.
• Experience maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks and records, data collection, and analysis.
• Proficient computer skills needed for data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and data analysis (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• 12-18 months of laboratory experience or related Masters degree preferred
• Experience in animal model techniques: handling/injecting/genotyping mice, administration of anesthesia, weaning and mouse colony management, tissue collection.
• Experience in basic molecular and cell biology techniques: sterile technique, reagent preparation, primary cell culture, maintenance of cell lines, DNA/RNA purification, RT-qPCR.
• Experience in immunology techniques: multicolor flow cytometry, immunofluorescent/confocal microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• Experience in microbiology techniques: bacterial culture, in vitro infection models, BSL-3 and ABSL-3 experience a plus.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to work in a lab environment.

Additional Details

• Training in immunology and microbiology techniques that are unfamiliar to the candidate will be provided. 

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 40 hours.

Salary Information

• $36-$50k, with benefits, commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter.  References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.