Laboratory Technician

About the Role

TBC is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support biological computing and electrophysiology research in our Baltimore lab.

You will prepare and maintain high-quality microelectrode arrays, support primary neuronal culture and tissue-processing workflows and help ensure that experimental materials are ready for scheduled electrophysiology studies. You will perform quality-control checks, maintain accurate experimental records and troubleshoot issues that could affect culture health, MEA performance or data quality.

This is a hands-on role for someone who works carefully, follows precise protocols and takes ownership of laboratory readiness. You will collaborate closely with biology and electrophysiology researchers while helping build the reliable, repeatable laboratory systems required to scale TBC’s biological computing platform.

What You’ll Work On

Prepare and Maintain Microelectrode Arrays

Perform specialized surface treatments and conditioning of MEA plates according to established protocols.

Apply coatings and substrates required for cell attachment and electrophysiological stability.

Sterilize MEAs and associated materials using approved laboratory methods.

Handle MEAs and consumables aseptically to minimize contamination risk.

Maintain complete records of preparation methods, materials, lot numbers and outcomes to support traceability and reproducibility.

Conduct MEA Quality Control

Perform routine quality-control checks to assess MEA integrity, impedance and experimental readiness.

Identify coating defects, inconsistent impedance, contamination and other deviations from established quality standards.

Document QC results accurately and communicate issues promptly to the appropriate team members.

Perform corrective actions and repeat preparation procedures when required.

Help establish clear acceptance criteria for MEA use in scheduled experiments.

Support Neuronal Culture and Tissue Preparation

Maintain and support mammalian and primary neuronal cell-culture workflows.

Assist with sterile dissections, cortical cell isolation and preparation of primary neural tissue.

Prepare samples, solutions, media and reagents according to defined formulas and procedures.

Support cell staining, immunostaining and other laboratory assays as required.

Monitor culture health and promptly escalate abnormal or atypical results.

Perform experiments on biological samples according to approved protocols.

Support Electrophysiology Experiments

Coordinate with the electrophysiology team to ensure that MEAs, cultures, reagents and equipment are ready for scheduled experiments.

Assist with MEA-based neural stimulation and recording workflows.

Help collect, organize and maintain high-quality experimental and electrophysiological data.

Record experimental conditions, observations, deviations and results in appropriate laboratory systems.

Support the preparation of data reports and database files used to track research progress.

Support Animal Research

Handle small laboratory rodents, including mice and rats, in accordance with approved protocols.

Assist with tissue collection and organ harvesting for downstream analysis.

Support cortical cell-isolation procedures and related ex vivo workflows.

Maintain complete animal-research and tissue-processing documentation.

Follow all applicable IACUC protocols, training requirements and animal-welfare standards.

Maintain Laboratory Operations

Monitor inventory levels for MEAs, coatings, media, reagents, tools and other consumables.

Order supplies and ensure critical materials are available when needed.

Maintain a clean, organized and experiment-ready workspace.

Perform routine equipment maintenance and basic troubleshooting.

Coordinate service or repairs when equipment issues require outside support.

Maintain safety records and follow applicable biological safety, chemical handling and waste-disposal procedures.

Improve Processes and Quality

Diagnose recurring issues related to MEA preparation, coatings, impedance, contamination or experimental readiness.

Recommend improvements to protocols, workflow efficiency and quality-control procedures.

Help convert successful research procedures into clear, repeatable standard operating procedures.

Participate in experimental planning and provide practical feedback on laboratory feasibility, timing and resource requirements.

Work effectively across biology, neuroscience and engineering teams in a fast-moving research environment.

What Success Looks Like

MEAs are prepared consistently and meet defined quality standards before scheduled experiments.

Primary neuronal cultures and tissue preparations remain viable, reproducible and contamination-free.

Materials, reagents and equipment are available when researchers need them.

Experimental records are complete, accurate and easy to trace.

Technical issues are identified early, communicated clearly and resolved efficiently.

Laboratory workflows become more consistent and scalable over time.

The Baltimore team can complete more high-quality experiments without sacrificing rigor, safety or documentation.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry or a related field.

Prior hands-on experience in a biological or biomedical research laboratory.

Familiarity with mammalian cell culture, primary cell culture or neural tissue preparation.

Experience handling small laboratory rodents and collecting tissue for research.

Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow precise protocols consistently.

Manual dexterity and comfort working with delicate laboratory materials and equipment.

Strong organizational, documentation and problem-solving skills.

Ability to recognize abnormal results, investigate likely causes and escalate issues appropriately.

Ability to read and follow written and verbal instructions.

Ability to prioritize work and complete assignments reliably in a dynamic, fast-paced laboratory.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work full-time on site in TBC’s Baltimore laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience preparing, coating or testing microelectrode arrays.

Experience with MEA systems, patch clamp or other electrophysiology methods.

Experience with cortical cell isolation or primary neuronal culture.

Familiarity with impedance testing and electrophysiology quality-control procedures.

Experience with immunostaining, immunohistochemistry or related assays.

Familiarity with GLP-aligned documentation and laboratory best practices.

Experience working under approved IACUC protocols.

Experience maintaining laboratory databases, experimental reports or electronic laboratory notebooks.

Experience in biotechnology, neurotechnology, biomedical research or another interdisciplinary environment.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site position in TBC’s Baltimore wet lab. The role requires adherence to biological and chemical safety protocols and includes participation in animal research conducted under approved IACUC guidelines.

The position may require extended periods of standing or sitting, repetitive fine-motor work and the safe handling of biological materials, laboratory chemicals and research animals.