The Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Division of the DOM is hiring for a Laboratory Technician The division is led by division chief Alison Morris, MD and Executive Administrator Barbara Suchonic. The division is made of up approximately 70 clinical staff and over 100 research staff who work in a variety of locations including: Bridgeside Point, Biomedical Science Tower (BST), UPMC Hospitals including Presbyterian, Shadyside, East, Jameson and Mercy. The division provides world class services across 10 inpatient services at five hospitals and over 70,000 outpatient office visits. We have a major research mission that focuses on basic, clinical, and translational research on the lung, microbiome, COVID-19, sleep medicine, and allergy and immunology.

The Rizzo laboratory is hiring a laboratory technician at the Tech III level. Dr. Alicia Rizzo is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. The goal of the laboratory is to determine the mechanisms by which the glycocalyx, a layer of sugar molecules that lines both the airways and the blood vessels of the lung, mediates the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis and develop treatments for these conditions. Current projects include 1) a mechanistic study of the role of the glycocalyx in supporting pulmonary surfactant, 2) a clinical study of the impact of glycocalyx degradation on physiology and patient outcomes in ARDS and 3) optimization of a rapid assay to measure circulating glycocalyx fragments in sepsis.

The Rizzo laboratory is funded by the NIH/NHLBI, the Parker B Francis Foundation, and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rizzo highly values diversity in biomedical sciences and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

The Rizzo laboratory technician’s duties will include performing experiments, including both in vitro and in vivo (mouse) experiments, and processing airspace fluid samples that we will be collecting from patients in the ICU. The incumbent will also be responsible for keeping highly organized experimental records, performing data analysis, and presenting the results of their experiments at laboratory meetings. The incumbent will also work closely with Dr. Rizzo to create figures for publications and grant proposals.

Performs a variety of independent laboratory work and experiments such as determining experimental protocols and preparation of specimens and cultures. Prepares reports of findings subsequent to compilation and analyzation. Oversees specimen inventory. Develops documentation for publication; crafts manuscripts and grant proposals.

Performs a variety of independent laboratory work and experiments such as determining experimental protocols and preparation of specimens and cultures. Prepares reports of findings subsequent to compilation and analyzation. Oversees specimen inventory. Develops documentation for publication; crafts manuscripts and grant proposals.

Perform laboratory work independently, including in vitro (e.g. ELISAs) and in vivo (mouse) experiments. Training in specific laboratory protocols will be provided. Troubleshoot experimental issues both independently and in consultation with Dr. Rizzo and other researchers in the laboratory group as needed. Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory notebooks. Analyze data and prepare graphs, tables, and charts to document experimental results. This will involve the use of common statistical programs including excel, Graphpad Prism, and R. Assist with preparation of figures for publications and grant applications. Maintain laboratory and chemical inventory for the lab and place orders for supplies.