Lab Manager/Sr Scientist - Gao Lab

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB); Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Yajing Gao Lab at the University of Utah is seeking a versatile professional to join as either Lab Manager or Senior Research Scientist, depending on qualifications and career focus. The role balances hands-on experimental work with essential laboratory operations, training, and project support.

Our group investigates lipid homeostasis in immune cells and its impact on systemic metabolism, using biochemistry, cell biology, immunobiology, metabolomics, and advanced imaging.

Qualifications

• Experience in biochemistry, molecular biology or immunobiology.
• Ability to perform and interpret cell-based assays and analyses.
• Strong documentation and scientific writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform and direct standard and complex lab tests and animal procedures.
• Prepare reagents, equipment, and rooms for studies.
• Assist in designing and modifying protocols and procedures.
• Review literature for procedures and best practices.
• Analyze data and prepare reports on research results.
• Maintain safety and compliance records for the lab.

Skills

Biochemistry

Molecular biology

Cell culture

Flow cytometry

Immunology

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Lab Manager/Sr Scientist - Immunology (Gao Lab)

Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY The Yajing Gao Lab in the Department of Pathology Division of Microbiology and Immunology is seeking a versatile candidate to join our team as either a Lab Manager or Senior Research Scientist, depending on qualifications and career focus. The ideal candidate will balance experimental research execution with key laboratory operations and management. The Gao Lab focuses on understanding the regulation and impact of lipid homeostasis in immune cells, as well as immune control of systemic lipid metabolism. Our group utilizes cross-disciplinary approaches, including fundamental biochemistry, cell biology, immunobiology techniques, and cutting-edge metabolomics, transcriptomics, high-resolution imaging, among other high-throughput technologies, paired with human and animal pathophysiology models. The successful candidate will provide technical and managerial support to daily laboratory operations, train personnel, and may support new scientific projects in the lab. Will work collaboratively in a team environment to advance the scientific mission of the Gao Lab.

Learn about the great benefits of working for University of Utah at benefits.utah.edu.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Under the general supervision of the Principal Investigator:Performs and/or directs the performance of standard and complex lab tests and experiments and/or animal procedures for studies.
• Prepares reagents, equipment, and rooms for studies.
• Assists the Principal Investigator in the design, implementation and performance of new protocols and procedures as well as the modification of existing techniques.
• Reviews scientific journals, abstracts and other literature for information concerning experimental procedures.
• Makes advanced statistical calculations, analyzes data and prepares reports summarizing research results.
• Operates and performs routine maintenance of complex and highly specialized laboratory equipment.
• Drafts and maintains safety and university compliance records and protocols.

Lab Manager role may include

• Train and onboard laboratory personnel.
• Maintain, monitor, and order lab supplies and manage vendors and quotes.
• Assist with preparing budget and budget tracking.
• May assist with resolving sensitive or unusual situations arising in the lab. Problems that cannot be resolved by the employee will be referred to the Principal Investigator.

Senior Research Scientist role may include

• Supervise and review the work of laboratory personnel.
• May lead independent scientific projects and author manuscripts/grant applications.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required

• Nearly Continuously: Laboratory environment.
• Often: Infectious disease, animals, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids), hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, or exposure to chemicals).

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

• Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.
• Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing and pipetting), walking, standing, sitting.
• Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

• Research Scientist, II: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Preference will be given to candidates with a Master's or Doctoral Degree in biomedical or related fields, or a Bachelor's in a scientific field with 5+ years of directly related work experience.

• Proficiency in research (biochemistry, molecular biology, cell culture, and/or research animal experience), and scientific writing capabilities (English).
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, detail oriented, with professional integrity.
• Strong interest in immunobiology and physiology research.

Highly desirable prior experience includes

• Rodent models and research colony management.
• Cell biology techniques and primary cell isolation and culture.
• Flow cytometry, immune phenotyping and modeling.
• Animal surgery and veterinary training .
• Prior experience as lab manager or staff scientist.