Lab technician in neuroimmunology specialized in CRISPR-Cas9 technology

The University of Luxembourg aspires to be one of Europe’s most highly regarded universities with a distinctly international and interdisciplinary character. It fosters the cross-fertilisation of research and teaching, is relevant to its country, is known worldwide for its research and teaching in targeted areas, and is establishing itself as an innovative model for contemporary European Higher Education. The University`s core asset is its well-connected world-class academic staff which will attract the most motivated, talented and creative students and young researchers who will learn to enjoy taking up challenges and develop into visionary thinkers able to shape society.

Within the University, the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) is a highly interdisciplinary research centre (IC), integrating experimental biology and computational biology approaches in order to develop the foundation of a future predictive, preventive and personalized medicine.

The University of Luxembourg has the following vacancy at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB): Technician specialized in CRISPR-Cas9 technology

AREA:

Role of immune mechanisms in models of Alzheimer’s disease

DESCRIPTION:

The Neuroimmunology group, led by Prof. Michael Heneka, has started its activities at LCSB in early 2022. It focuses on the role of immune mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease. Michael Heneka has recently received a PEARL grant from the Fonds National de la Recherche in Luxembourg to study the role of microglia and tunneling nanotubes networks connecting microglia to neurons in Alzheimer’s disease and has for this project an immediate opening for a technician specialized in CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

The MINIALZ PEARL project aims to study the interaction of immune cells and neurons in the brain and to identify molecular mechanisms that can be harnessed for developing preventive, disease-modifying or acute therapeutic measures. MINIALZ will further identify early immune function and biomarker traits, in order to support diagnosis prior to clinical appearance. MINIALZ will be based on a new mechanism recently identified by the applicant’s group, by which microglia form a tunnelling nanotube network (TNTs) with neighboring neurons in order to free the latter from pathological proteins and ensure their function and survival. Preliminary data suggest that such microglia-neuron TNTs may contribute to neuronal survival in models of neurodegeneration and the involved mechanisms are defective in microglia carrying disease-associated AD risk mutations.

The technician will contribute to generating various induced pluripotent stem cell lines and their isogenic controls that will then be used to study tunneling nanotubes and their role in Alzheimer’s disease.

The Neuroimmunology group at the LCSB has an immediate opening for a motivated and talented laboratory technician (entry- to advanced- level position) to assist with in vivo animal experimentation using mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. In vivo imaging techniques as well as tests assessing motor, learning and memory functions will be important readouts. Additional tasks include histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, genotyping, protein and RNA extraction methods as well as related detection methods (FACS, ELISA, Western blot, qPCR).

Your Role...

As a general task you will support the group’s daily lab operations, including ordering lab supplies, sample organization and documentation. Experimentally, you will be responsible to the generation of various cell lines using CRISPR-Cas9 technology and gene perturbation experiments by CRISPR interference and CRISPR activation. In addition, you will, in close collaboration with the LCSB Aquatic unit, establish various zebrafish mutant lines using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. You will support colleagues with cell culture experiments, including iPSCs, neuronal and microglia cultures. Protein expression analysis by immunhistochemistry, ELISA or immunoblot detection are further tasks.

Important technical competencies and tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced experience with gene perturbation experiments and genetic screens using CRISPR-Cas
• Cell culture experience, in particular with iPSCs, neuronal and microglia cultures
• Experience with zebrafish models is considered a plus
• Troubleshooting of technical problems in sample preparation and extraction workflows
• Experience with standard techniques of molecular biology (Immunhistochemistry, FACS, ELISA; Western blot, qPCR)
• Thorough record keeping in a well-organized lab notebook

What we expect from you…

• A Bachelor or Master degree (or equivalent) with wet-lab experience, in molecular biology techniques and microscopy
• Advanced knowledge and experience with CRISPR-Cas technology
• Highly reliable and precise working style
• Good organizational skills and willingness to work independently
• Basic computer skills to ensure electronic record keeping and generation of work summaries, e.g., documenting quality and quantity results from different protocols
• Attention to detail, especially accurate data entry and sample handling
• Communication in English is essential, both written and spoken

In Short...

• Contract Type: Contrat à durée déterminée 24 Mois
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Heures par Semaine
• Location: Belval
• Internal Title: Research support technician
• Job Reference: UOL05518

How to apply...

Applications (in English) should contain the following documents:

• A detailed curriculum vitae
• Cover letter indicating your motivation for this position, relevant past experience and future interests
• Name and addresses of two referees

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

In return you will get…

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR). 
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …
• Find out more about the University
• Addresses, maps & routes to the various sites of the University

Further information...

For further information, please contact: michael.heneka@uni.lu