Research Assistant I (Larsen Lab)

We are seeking a motivated Research Technician to join our laboratory studying host-microbiome interactions and microbial metabolism. The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing projects involving microbiome sequencing, metabolic modeling, and cheminformatic analysis of microbial metabolites.

The Research Technician will perform and assist in the design of 16S rRNA sequencing workflows, conduct bioinformatic analysis of microbiome datasets, and contribute to the computational modeling of microbial community metabolism. The position also involves maintaining laboratory records, managing sample inventories, and contributing to manuscript and grant preparation.

A Bachelor of Science degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computational biology, or a closely related field is required. Candidates must have hands-on experience with microbiome sequencing methodologies and proficiency in downstream bioinformatic analysis using standard pipelines and tools. Computational experience including scripting in Python or R and familiarity with Linux/command-line environments is required. A background in chemistry and/or chemoinformatics, including experience with chemical structure databases, metabolite annotation, or cheminformatic toolkits, is also required.

Experience with metabolic flux modeling (e.g., MICOM, COBRApy) or multi-omics data integration is a plus, as is familiarity with machine learning applications in biological data analysis.

This is a full-time position based in an academic research laboratory. The role involves both wet-lab and computational work. Candidates who thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment and who demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills are encouraged to apply.

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Basic Computer Skills - MS Office

As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago's mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university's focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.

Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes-including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences-Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country's most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.

Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here.

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