Lead Lab Research Assistant: Mentorship & Innovation

Rush University Medical Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 3,233,000 - 5,373,000; Full time

Job summary

Rush University Medical Center is seeking a Lead Lab Research Assistant to provide expert technical and leadership support in a high-level research lab. You will mentor junior staff, oversee complex procedures, ensure protocol adherence, and contribute to data interpretation and scientific deliverables.

The role coordinates daily lab workflows, supports PIs with project readiness, and upholds safety, quality, and regulatory standards in a fast-paced healthcare research environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent education is required for this lead lab role.
• 3+ years of laboratory experience in academic, healthcare, or research settings.
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff in a lab environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute specialized, multi-step laboratory procedures with expert precision.
• Lead specimen workflows from collection to storage and address quality concerns.
• Calibrate, validate, and troubleshoot complex lab instruments; coordinate with vendors.
• Guide protocol refinement using pilot study results and literature.
• Maintain detailed records, logs, and study notes for data integrity and compliance.
• Interpret data trends and present concise summaries for PI review or grants.
• Train and mentor Lab Research Assistant staff; support onboarding and safety practices.
• Coordinate cross-lab collaborations and shared instrumentation scheduling.
• Monitor inventory of reagents and high-use supplies; support budget decisions.
• Draft and edit internal protocols, SOPs, and manuscript methods.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Data analysis

Mentoring

Pipetting

Lab safety

Communication

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

Tools

REDCap

GraphPad

Excel

ImageJ

LIMS

Job description

Rush University Medical Center is seeking a Lead Lab Research Assistant to provide expert technical and leadership support in a high-level research lab. You will mentor junior staff, oversee complex procedures, ensure protocol adherence, and contribute to data interpretation and scientific deliverables.

The role coordinates daily lab workflows, supports PIs with project readiness, and upholds safety, quality, and regulatory standards in a fast-paced healthcare research environment.