Research Laboratory Technician II - Microbiology Department

The newly formed Kochanowsky lab is looking to hire multiple Research Laboratory Technicians. This is a grant funded position.

The Kochanowsky lab focuses on the pathogenesis and molecular biology of the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. T. vaginalis is the causative agent of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide, trichomoniasis. The lab focuses on the host-pathogen interactions that drive infection of T. vaginalis with a particular focus on T. vaginalis secreted extracellular vesicles (TvEVs) which are known to be internalized by both host cells and parasites.

Specific Projects

TvEVs as suppressors of host innate immune responses.

Uptake of parasite proteins via the internalization of TvEVs by host cells has been shown to modulate host cell innate immune signaling. TvEVs carry several parasite proteins, parasite RNAs, and other small molecules that likely mediate these effects. TvEVs are capable of suppressing interferon epsilon (IFN) mediated activation of the type I interferon (IFN) response and down-regulate multiple genes involved in the type I IFN response pathway. IFN has been shown to play an important role in protection of the female reproductive tract from both bacterial and viral STIs. We have demonstrated that pretreatment of vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) and prostate epithelial cells (PECs) with IFN is protective against T. vaginalis-mediated host cell death and results in decreased parasite burden. Recent publication https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2508297122

Current efforts in the lab are trying to address these remaining questions: 1. What TvEV molecular cargo are suppressing IFN-mediated activation of the type I interferon (IFN) response? 2. What is the mechanism by which IFN protects host cells from T. vaginalis-mediated cytolysis?

Key Responsibilities

• Assists in initiating, executing and completing the research experiments.
• Assists in the interpretation and publication of results and grants.
• Prepares and writes research papers, presentations, grant proposals, etc. Primary responsibility is ensuring that the research is complete.
• Evaluates experimental results using complex statistical and multivariate analysis.
• Helps maintain day-to-day lab maintenance (e.g. media preparation)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field of Science required.
• 2 years of research lab experience required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Organizational and analytical skills required.
• Familiarity with standard techniques in molecular biology such as PCR, qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence microscopy.
• Experience with cell culture and Molecular Cloning.

Under general supervision, the successful applicant will follow standard procedures in the lab, evaluate various routine assays. Independently reads specifications and procedures. Requires knowledge of the processes involved in documenting experiments. Maintains laboratory notebook, testing records, or worksheets according to established laboratory and manufacturing procedures.

Learn more about the lab here: https://www.creighton.edu/campus-directory/kochanowsky-joshua