Job Description

Research Technician

The Mashruwala Laboratory at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research invites applications for a Research Technician. The laboratory studies bacterial communities through a developmental biology lens, asking how molecular events within genetically identical bacterial cells generate organized behaviors and spatial patterns across a collective. We are particularly interested in regulated cell death, collective cell-fate decisions, and cell-cell communication as routes to discovering general principles of bacterial community development.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative research team and contribute directly to ongoing projects in bacterial community biology. The position will involve hands-on experimentation. Responsibilities and scientific ownership will be tailored to the individual and can grow substantially with experience and demonstrated independence.

Role and Responsibilities

Research technicians are active scientific contributors to the laboratory. Depending on experience, interests, and project needs, responsibilities can include:

• Conducting experiments using bacterial genetics, molecular biology, microscopy, phenotypic assays, and related approaches.
• Preparing media and reagents; maintaining bacterial strains, plasmids, and laboratory stocks; and helping sustain reliable experimental workflows.
• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing quantitative experimental data while maintaining careful and reproducible research records.
• Learning, troubleshooting, and optimizing experimental protocols and, with experience, helping develop new methods.
• Contributing to experimental planning, interpretation of results, lab discussions, presentations, and manuscripts as appropriate.
• Participating in shared laboratory organization and routine tasks that keep the research environment safe, efficient, and collaborative.

Research, Mentoring and Professional Development Environment

We combine bacterial genetics, molecular biology, advanced microscopy, quantitative image analysis, computational approaches, phenotypic analysis, and small-scale laboratory automation. Technicians can gain experience across multiple approaches as their projects and interests develop.

At Stowers, research technicians work in a highly collaborative environment with direct access to Ph.D.-level scientific partners in Technology Centers spanning advanced microscopy, genomics, proteomics, computational biology, and related areas.

The Mashruwala Laboratory receives recurring intramural support from the Stowers Institute, providing flexibility to pursue unexpected findings and ambitious long-term questions. Our research is also supported by the Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation.

Mentoring is tailored to each researcher's background and goals and can include experimental design, quantitative reasoning, data analysis, scientific writing and presentations, project organization, and career development. Technicians who demonstrate readiness can take ownership of project components/projects.

Who Should Apply

We welcome applicants from diverse scientific backgrounds who are excited by fundamental biological questions and by research that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries. Prior experience with Vibrio cholerae or bacterial regulated cell death is not required; we particularly welcome applicants who bring complementary expertise.

• A master's degree in microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics, computational biology, or a related field.

• Strong hands-on research experience is welcome.

• Experience in at least one relevant area, such as microbial genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, microscopy, quantitative analysis, computation, or genomics. Experience in every area is not expected.

• Careful organization, attention to detail, reliable record keeping, and strong follow-through.

• Scientific curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn new approaches and troubleshoot difficult problems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Select Publications

• Mashruwala AA, Qin B, Bassler BL. Quorum-sensing- and type VI secretion-mediated spatiotemporal cell death drives genetic diversity in Vibrio cholerae. Cell (2022).

• Mashruwala AA, Bassler BL. Quorum sensing orchestrates parallel cell death pathways in Vibrio cholerae via Type 6 secretion-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024).

Application

Applicants should submit the materials below. We are interested in learning about your research experience, what you contributed to prior work, what you hope to learn in this position, and where you would like the experience to take you next.

• A 1-2 page cover letter describing your interest in working with us, your relevant research experience, and your longer-term career goals.

• A current CV or resume.

• Contact information for three references.

• Pdf's of most recent two publications.

Please combine materials into a single PDF labeled LastName_Technician_2026.pdf and send it to AMashruwala@stowers.org and careers@stowers.org.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

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