Lab Manager/Sr Scientist - Immunology (Gao Lab)

University of Utah Health Research; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 44,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gao Lab in the Department of Pathology at the University of Utah Health seeks a versatile Lab Manager or Senior Research Scientist to oversee experimental work and daily lab operations. The role focuses on lipid homeostasis in immune cells and immune control of systemic lipid metabolism using biochemistry, cell biology, and advanced omics approaches.

The candidate will train personnel, manage lab operations, and contribute to new scientific projects while collaborating with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with related experience; equivalency allowed.
• Experience in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell culture, and/or research animals.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and scientific writing ability.
• Willingness to work in a laboratory environment with biosafety considerations.

Responsibilities

• Performs and/or directs standard and complex lab tests and experiments.
• Prepares reagents, equipment, and rooms for studies.
• Assists in design, implementation and modification of protocols.
• Reviews literature for experimental procedures.
• Calculates statistics and summarizes results.
• Maintains lab equipment and safety records.

Skills

Lab management

Biochemistry

Molecular biology

Cell culture

Immunobiology

Scientific writing

English proficiency

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's or Doctoral in biomedical fields

Bachelor's in scientific field + 5 years experience

Education/experience equivalency

Tools

Flow cytometry

Immunophenotyping

Animal surgery

Primary cell isolation

Research animal experience

Biochemistry techniques

Job description

Details
Open Date 10/22/2026
Requisition Number PRN46572B
Job Title Research Scientists (non-PhD)
Working Title Lab Manager/Sr Scientist - Immunology (Gao Lab)
Career Progression Track P00
Track Level P2 - Developing
FLSA Code Professional
Patient Sensitive Job Code? No
Standard Hours per Week 40
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Shift Day
Work Schedule Summary Monday – Friday (hours can vary). Occasional evenings and weekends. 40 hours per week. This is an on-site position at the Emma Eccles Jones Medical Research Building (map ).
VP Area U of U Health - Academics
Department 00247 - Pathology
Location Campus
City Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment External Posting
Pay Rate Range 43,796 - 84,883
Close Date 01/22/2027
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

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.

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.

In Addition, The Preferred Candidate Will Possess

• 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.

Type

Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

This position will begin January 2027.

Additional Information

The University of Utah is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581‑7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post‑retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366‑7770 or (800) 695‑4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581‑7447 if you have questions regarding the post‑retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page .
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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members , a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.