Lab Specialist Intermediate, The Spencer Lab

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia’s Spencer Lab in Charlottesville, VA seeks a Lab Specialist Intermediate to contribute to research on Type VII secretion in Group B Streptococcus. The role involves cloning, cell culture, and animal infection models, with emphasis on collaboration, documentation, and data interpretation.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant lab experience, with mentoring skills and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 3+ years relevant experience.
• Experience with cell culture and animal infection models preferred.
• Ability to work in collaborative, interactive team; strong record-keeping.
• Willingness to mentor junior lab members.

Responsibilities

• Construct plasmid vectors and perform cloning.
• Transform bacteria and generate mutants.
• Perform Western blot analyses of cell lysates.
• Conduct cellular and animal infection models.
• Maintain animal breeding colony and care.
• Document data and manage inventories with LabArchives and Excel.
• Maintain laboratory stocks and organize operations.

Skills

Collaborative teamwork

Attention to detail

Mentoring juniors

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

GraphPad Prism

Geneious Prime

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

LabArchives

Job description

The Spencer lab in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology at the UVA School of Medicine (https://med.virginia.edu/mic/faculty/?facbio=1&id=1728042) is seeking a Lab Specialist Intermediate. The Spencer laboratory is focused on molecular mechanisms of Type VII secretion in Group B Streptococcus and the impact of effector secretion on the microbiota as well as host barriers and immune responses. These projects involve aspects of bacteriology, immunology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. The successful applicant will be part of a multidisciplinary team assembled to investigate the consequence of the GBS T7SS on bacteremia/meningitis as well as on colonization of the female genital tract using cellular and animal models of colonization and disease. These positions would be ideal for anyone with an interest in bacterial pathogenesis and/or host-pathogen interactions. The ideal candidates will have experience or willingness to utilize cell culture and animal models of infection, as well as the ability to work well in a highly interactive, creative, and collaborative environment. Preference will be given to candidates with a background in biochemistry, microbiology or immunology.

Position Summary

Research activities will include, but are not limited to western blotting, cloning, and cellular and animal models of infection and colonization. Additional duties include laboratory organization, purchasing, maintenance of molecular inventories, and biosafety. The position requires frequent use of scientific literature, appropriate experimental documentation, data analysis, clear data presentation, a collaborative attitude, and participation in group project meetings. Additional requirements include attention to detail in experimental work and record keeping, ability to handle multiple assignments, self-motivation and eagerness to acquire new skills. This position is ideal both for those seeking a long-term research scientist position, and for those seeking experience in preparation for doctoral-level research programs. The chosen candidate will have the opportunity to co-author manuscripts that will be peer-reviewed for publication in premier scientific journals.

Responsibilities

• Construction of plasmid expression vectors using PCR, Gibson assembly, plasmid miniprep purification, and sequencing.
• Bacterial transformation and generation of bacterial mutants
• Western blotting analysis of proteins from cell lysates and supernatants.
• Cellular and animal infection models
• Maintenance of animal breeding colony
• Data documentation, and analysis using LabArchives, GraphPad Prism, Geneious Prime, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other software as needed.
• Maintenance of laboratory stocks and solutions.
• Laboratory organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in STEM field preferred
• Lab experience: 6 years for Specialist Intermediate. (9 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree).
• Prior experience with animal work is preferred but not required
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Willingness to mentor junior members of the laboratory

Physical Demands

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.

Salary Range

• The anticipated hiring range is $50,000 - $60,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline

Application review will begin afterNovember 2, 2026.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

• For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, [e-mail].

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.