Research Lab Technician I

at  USC

The Department of Ophthalmology is seeking a Research Lab Technician I to join its team.
This position is needed to perform research for a project funded by SC-CTSI and the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

This position is designed to fill an integral research support role in the translational research activities in Dr. Benjamin Xu’s lab, which includes actively funded clinical research studies. This funded research requires personnel with specialized skills that include but are not limited to:

• General Laboratory Techniques
• Maintenance of Lab Notebook

Job Summary:
In a clinical research environment with a focus on ophthalmology imaging, this role involves providing technical support for patient recruitment, enrollment, and data collection. Working closely with other laboratory technicians, the position emphasizes specialized assistance in standardized tests, particularly eye imaging procedures such as OCT. The role offers a dynamic and collaborative opportunity to combine patient care, research, and technical skills.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE:

• Sets up and operates standard laboratory equipment.
• Prepares experimental materials for clinical research procedures while adhering to safety protocols.
• Recruits patients from clinic lists, escorts them to imaging rooms, obtains consent, conducts imaging procedures, and ensures patients’ safe return to the clinic area.
• Captures high quality eye images utilizing specialized imaging equipment (OCT).
• Enters and manages research data, performs basic statistical analyses, and prepares reports for research studies under senior researchers’ guidance.
• Stocks and maintains laboratory supplies, monitoring and managing inventory levels.
• Develops technical skills in data analysis and programming languages like R, MATLAB, or Python (encouraged).
• Collaborates with experienced technicians and researchers to ensure accurate records and analysis of clinical research procedures.
• Participates in research team meetings and contributes to ongoing research projects.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to follow detailed instructions, oral and written.
• Familiarity with laboratory protocols and procedures in a clinical research environment.
• Background or interest in working with patients in a clinical research setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with patients and research staff.
• Experience or strong interest in specialized ophthalmic imaging techniques, preferably Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
• Ability to perform basic statistical calculations, data entry, and generate reports using common software.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Proficiency in communicating with Spanish-speaking patients and research participants.
• Preferred Education: Minimum College Graduate with Science Background
• Preferred Experience: Masters or higher level education with research background

Applicant Attachments (Required): Application/Resume
Applicant Attachments (Optional): Cover Letter
The hourly rate range for this position is $21.07 - $27.63. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Minimum Education: Associate’s degree, Specialized/technical training, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Working knowledge of laboratory equipment and research protocols. Knowledge of computer analysis techniques and ability to provide routine analysis and interpretation of research data

• General Laboratory Techniques
• Maintenance of Lab Noteboo