Hockemeyer lab, UC-Berkeley, using zinc fingers to understand how the enzyme telomerase is transcriptionally regulated and how telomere shortening impacts tumor formation

Noted Sangamo collaborator Dr. Dirk Hockemeyer is adding staff to his lab.
Open Apr 2, 2015 through May 11, 2015
Description
The Hockemeyer lab in the Molecular Cell Biology Department at UC Berkeley seeks a Jr. Specialist. The goal of the Hockemeyer lab is to shed light on the key functions of telomeres and telomerase in tissue homeostasis, tumorigenesis and aging in human stem cell. To investigate these processes we developed the use of site-specific nucleases, specifically Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), to genetically engineer human stem cells. Using these tools we seek to understand how the enzyme telomerase is transcriptionally regulated and how telomere shortening impacts tumor formation.
Responsibilities:

• Animal colony maintenance and genotyping: including, animal breeding, weaning, culling, and genotyping by tissue biopsy and assay by PCR with a standard thermocycler. Additionally, regular record keeping of all animals in the colony, as well as daily recording the body weight and drinking volume of animals involved in behavioral studies, and providing appropriate water volumes to animals on restricted water diets.
• Histology and immunohistochemistry: including animal perfusion, tissue extraction, tissue slicing with a freezing microtome, immunostaining and processing and mounting of fixed and stained tissue slices.
• DNA amplification and purification: including bacterial retransformation, amplification, purification by standard Qiagen kit, and quantification with a spectrophotometer.
• Lab management duties will include ordering, filling reagent requests, coordinating food supplies, and stock keeping. Supervising compliances with all safety and animal regulations, radiation safety.

Minimum/Basic Qualifications Required: Applicants must possess a Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent, in Molecular and Cell Biology or a related field at the time of application.

Additional Required Qualifications: The successful candidate will have at least 6 months of laboratory employment experience involving the techniques listed in the "Responsibilities" section. Excellent communication skills and careful attention to detail are also required.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with animal care, genotyping, histology and immunohistochemistry