Laboratory TechnicianUniversity of Kentucky

None

Occasional lifting / carrying of objects up to 20 lbs. Regular repetitive motion and sitting or standing for prolonged periods.

Monday to Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

A technician position to study the molecular causes and possible therapies of Alzheimer’s disease is available in the Stamm lab in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky (www.stamms-lab.net).

The position is ideal for a gap-year student seeking more experience prior to applying to graduate or medical school. Numerous previous students from our lab entered graduate or medical school, which was promoted by their authorship on papers. The technician will work full time, ideally 40 hours per week, ($17-20 per hour).

Our lab discovered that circular RNAs from the tau gene can be translated into proteins, and these proteins cause mRNA-encoded tau protein aggregation into neurofibrillary tangles, which cause the neuronal death in Alzheimer’s disease. The Stamm lab and its collaborators use a large variety of techniques, ranging from group I self-splicing tetrahymena introns, mouse models to analysis of human post-mortem brain, allowing you to learn various techniques: molecular (cloning, nucleic acid purification, sequence analysis, gene expression in cell culture, ribosome purification); biochemical (old school protein purification, antibody characterization); animal studies (mice expressing tau pathology after viral circRNA delivery); as well as histology using human samples.

Ref: PMID: 36533443; 37266374; 39660652

Our data clearly indicate that certain circular RNAs cause tau pathology that is characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease, but this concept is new and still controversial. Thus, as in all true cutting-edge research, the outcome is unclear and uncertain. If successful, this work will be truly transformative for Alzheimer and related tauopathies, as it points to a straightforward therapy, for which we filed patents.

Our lab is thus looking for a few good, hardworking and motivated students that take up the challenge to decipher the molecular cause of tau tangle formation aiming to develop therapies against Alzheimer’s disease.

To apply, please apply at UK Jobs and send your CV and a 1/4 – 1/2 page (specific request 1) explaining why you are interested in the work to:

Masters degree

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.