(Position filled) Job Opening – Research Assistant for Mammalian Cell Engineering

An immediate opening is available for a full-time (1-2 year commitment) research assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Lacra Bintu in the Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University. The Bintu Lab uses systems and synthetic biology approaches to characterize the dynamics of gene and chromatin regulation in mammalian cells. This is an opportunity to work on a project investigating chromatin dynamics in different mammalian cells. Techniques used include engineering of mammalian cell lines, flow cytometry analysis of mammalian cells, and time-lapse microscopy movies of mammalian cells. The position will involve close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team. This is an excellent training opportunity for anyone interested in attending graduate school or medical school. Cover Letter should indicate earliest possible joining date. Stanford is an equal opportunity employer.

CORE DUTIES*:

  • Plan and perform experiments in support of research projects in lab
  • Interpret and perform basic analysis of results
  • Review literature to remain current with new procedures and related research
  • Contribute to creation and modification of procedures and protocols in collaboration with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
  • Maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes
  • Contribute to publication of findings as needed. Participate in the preparation of written documents, including procedures, presentations, and proposals
  • Help with general lab maintenance as needed; maintain lab stock, manage chemical inventory and safety records, and provide general lab support as needed

* Other duties may also be assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Strong academic record in molecular biology and synthetic biology
  • Experience in molecular lab environment, specifically cloning and sterile tissue culture
  • Attention to detail and critical thinking
  • Ability to following detailed instructions and maintain accurate records
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse group of people

For more details, contact Lacra at lbintu [at] gmail [dot] com.

New students and MIRA funding

We are so glad to welcome our new undergraduate student, Michael Herschl (Bioengineering) and our new graduate students Adi Mukund (MD/PhD) and Connor Ludwig (Bioengineering) to the lab!

In other news, the lab was awarded the MIRA R35 from NIGMS. Congratulations all!

First Bintu Lab publication

We wrote a review article covering the recent developments at the intersection of single-cell measurements, mammalian synthetic biology manipulations, and mathematical models of gene regulation.

PDF: Tycko & Van, 2017, Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering

Here we review recent work that has taken promising initial steps towards the kind of quantitative, single-cell gene regulation framework that will enable us to understand, predict, and design gene regulatory systems in mammalian cells.

We had a great time diving into the literature and writing out our view of the field at this exciting moment. Enjoy this early look at what the Bintu lab is thinking about.

The lab is growing!

Our three new graduate students bring in diverse backgrounds and research skills:

Mike Van (Biology)

Josh Tycko (Genetics)

Sarah Lensch (Bioengineering)

Welcome to the lab everybody!

Lab BBQ with new students, rotation students, and significant others. This time we remembered to take a photo for the website 🙂

The new lab space is up and running

The incubators are shaking, the scope is imaging, the thermocyclers are cycling, the massive Goodsell poster of the cell is hung on the wall – we are all moved in!

Thank you to the formidable efforts of lab manager Rhonda DiGiusto and building manager Patrick Carlson to create our beautiful space.

We’re sharing the space with Possu Huang’s lab of protein engineers.

Recruiting: students and postdocs

We are looking for graduate students and postdocs who are interested in mammalian synthetic biology, chromatin and gene regulation, and quantitative biology.

Graduate students, please apply through one of the graduate programs at Stanford: BioengineeringBiophysics, or Biosciences. If you are at Stanford already, please email Lacra (lbintu at gmail) to chat about a potential rotation.

Postdocs, please email Lacra (lbintu at gmail).