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Research Technologist I (Amit Sabnis Lab)

Lurie Children's Hospital · Chicago, IL · $19.00–$28.50 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Our lab works on sarcomas in children and young adults using cell lines, animal models and patient samples. Walk me through an experiment you designed yourself from start to finish.

What they are checking: Whether they can own an experiment end to end rather than only follow a protocol someone else wrote.

Tell me about an assay that kept failing. How did you figure out what was wrong?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot by changing one variable at a time and keeping notes, or by guessing.

Tell me about a time a result surprised you. What did you do next?

What they are checking: Curiosity and scientific judgment when data does not match the expected story.

This is described as a longer-term growth role. Where do you want your skills to be in three years?

What they are checking: Whether their goals line up with a lab looking for someone who will stay and grow.

What would you do

About a fifth of this job is reagent ordering, lab database management and keeping others trained. How do you feel about that part?

What they are checking: Whether they will actually do the unglamorous admin that keeps a lab running, not resent it.

A newer lab member keeps skipping a step in a shared protocol. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can correct a peer kindly and consistently, since they help train others.

About the work

Which cell culture, molecular or protein techniques are you strongest in, and which would you need training on here?

What they are checking: Honest self-assessment of bench skills so the lab knows where to invest training time.

How do you handle patient-derived samples differently from a cell line you can always thaw again?

What they are checking: Respect for irreplaceable material and the planning it takes before a single precious sample is used.

If you were running a drug sensitivity screen on sarcoma cell lines, how would you set up controls and decide a result was real?

What they are checking: Grasp of replicates, controls and reproducibility, which decides whether a finding is worth taking further.

What experience do you have working with mouse models, and how do you keep animal work compliant with the approved protocol?

What they are checking: Comfort with preclinical work and the discipline that animal care rules demand.

How do you keep your lab notebook and data so someone else could repeat your work a year from now?

What they are checking: Record-keeping habits that make results reproducible and publishable after people move on.

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The full job description

As published by Lurie Children's Hospital.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. Location Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center Job Description The Sabnis lab is a translational cancer research group. We use chemical and genetic tools and model systems ranging from cancer cell lines to preclinical animal models to patient samples, with the goal of identifying and validating new treatments and biomarkers for children and young adults with sarcomas. We are seeking a research technologist to help with these studies. Suitably trained candidates will receive didactic and hands-on training, but should be broadly able to independently conduct experiments; set up and operate laboratory equipment; record procedures and observations, and collect and compile data in a research lab; requires a practical understanding of a limited number of standard scientific techniques. Interpretation and presentation of results in collaborative group meetings is expected. This position will report to Dr. Amit Sabnis, Associate Professor of Pediatric Oncology, and work closely to support other scientists in Dr. Sabnis’ group. It will require 40 hours per week on-site. Essential Job Functions: • Follows pre-defined protocols, policies, procedure, regulations, Good Clinical and Good Laboratory Practices and conducts standard and repetitive experiments and completes basic trouble-shooting techniques. • Sets-up, operates and maintains standard lab equipment. • Using an entry level of skill, completes the following activities: Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Immunology and/or Animal activities. Examples of assays include ELISA, Western blot, viral plaque assay, flow cytometry, and PCR. • Acts as liaison between collaborative groups. • Records test results and may maintain databases. Develops, performs and assists investigators in their experiments. • Maintains records of facility use, assists in scheduling, purchasing, and other administrative activities (i.e., data entry, data presentation, data analysis, word processing, etc). Maintains inventory of reagents, mice, and supplies and performs routine cleaning and maintenance of instrumentation. • Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others. • Other job functions as assigned. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • HS diploma or equivalent and some basic science courses is required. • Minimum of 1 year of experience working with diverse groups of people. • Working knowledge of computers, ability to troubleshoot, work independently, and function as a team member is essential. Therefore, experience in regular interaction with outside groups is highly desirable. • Excellent command of the English language and the ability to communicate effectively. • Strong organizational skills including the ability to establish priorities, react promptly to a large variety of requests, and the ability to keep the workplace clean and organized. Education Pay Range $19.00-$28.50 Hourly At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits. Benefit Statement For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes: Medical, dental and vision insurance Employer paid group term life and disability Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account Flexible Spending Accounts Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave 403(b) with a 5% employer match Various voluntary benefits: • Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability • Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage • Tuition assistance • Student loan servicing and support • Adoption benefits • Backup Childcare and Eldercare • Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members • Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities • Discount purchasing program There’s a Place for You with Us At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care. Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org AI Notice Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals. It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes. For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org

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