Job Description

Description
The Balog lab at the University of New England (UNE) invites applicants for a research laboratory technician to assist with research in the area of protein biochemistry and biophysics. Position is open immediately.

The technician will join the Bio-Inspired On-demand Strategies for Engineering Nanostructured Sensors (BIO-SENS) team, a National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR funded program. The focus of BIO-SENS is the development of engineering principles to guide on-demand biosensor design in biomanufacturing and biotechnology applications. The program involves researchers (chemists, engineers, and economists) from Maine (UNE and UMaine), New Hampshire (UNH), Wyoming (UW), and Alabama (Auburn University) and industrial partners across all jurisdictions.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please submit the following materials:
Cover letter describing scientific experience and research interests
Resume
Names and contact information for three professional references.


UNE is a private, non-profit, comprehensive R2 university, with campuses in Portland and Biddeford, Maine and Tangier, Morocco. The College of Arts and Sciences is located on UNE’s waterfront Biddeford campus, with nearby city-based amenities in Portland (a 30-minute drive) and Boston (a 2-hour drive). UNE’s location in southern Maine affords easy access to forests, mountains, freshwater lakes, rocky coastlines, and sandy beaches. CAS, one of UNE’s six colleges, has a primary focus on undergraduate education.

UNE offers students a highly integrated learning experience that promotes excellence through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in education, research, and service. UNE’s excellence could not happen without a dedicated and talented faculty and professional staff. Our core values include but are not limited to Student Centeredness; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Relentless Inquiry. Visit https://www.une.edu/about/mission-vision-and-values to learn about our mission, vision, and core values.

UNE is a great place to work. We boast both a tight-knit community and access to a wide array of degree programs, research opportunities and cultural events. We have three distinct campuses that combine to offer students a range of different learning experiences. Our two Maine campuses house our nationally recognized undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, while our campus in Tangier, Morocco is home to an innovative semester abroad program. UNE is perennially included on “best colleges lists” by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes, and others. Portland is one of the nation’s most livable small cities with an incredible natural environment, friendly people, a wealth of arts and cultural institutions, and major medical facilities. Outside magazine named it as one of the “Greatest Places to Live in America”, and Bon Appetit selected Portland as the 2018 “Restaurant City of the Year”.

UNE also offers a generous comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their dependents. The package includes varied health and dental plans; a retirement plan that includes up to an 8% match; extensive paid leave including holidays, vacation, sick and personal time; and educational benefits for both employees and dependent children. Please visit the Human Resources Benefits site (https://www.une.edu/hr/benefits) for additional information regarding UNE’s fantastic benefits package.
Responsibilities
The technician will assist with molecular cloning, production, and experimental characterization of engineered proteins, including stimuli-responsive protein polymers. The technician will also assist Dr. Balog with data analysis and writing scientific papers and interact on a regular basis with other BIO-SENS researchers and co-PIs.

The technician will become part of the BIO-SENS collaboration, engage with academic and industrial partners, and have the opportunity to participate in professional development activities.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field (required at time of start)
Prior laboratory research experience
Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving abilities
Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with laboratory organization and management responsibilities
Familiarity with plasmid library construction, protein expression and purification, and in vitro characterization of proteins and protein-protein interactions
Skilled at trouble-shooting experiments
EEO Statement Summary
Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.