Research Assistant I (Larsen Lab)

LRES Corporation; Maywood (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola University Chicago’s Larsen Lab in Maywood seeks a Research Assistant I to study host-microbiome interactions and microbial metabolism. The role combines wet-lab sequencing with computational analysis in a collaborative setting.

The incumbent will design 16S rRNA workflows, analyze microbiome data, and contribute to metabolic modeling and manuscript preparation. A BS is required; prior sequencing/bioinformatics experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training; biology/biochemistry/computational biology preferred.
• Hands-on microbiome sequencing experience; downstream bioinformatic analysis proficiency.
• Scripting in Python or R; Linux/command-line familiarity; chemistry/cheminformatics background a plus.
• Metabolic flux modeling or multi-omics data experience is a plus.
• Wet-lab and computational work in a collaborative, fast-paced lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute 16S rRNA sequencing workflows.
• Perform bioinformatic analyses on microbiome datasets.
• Contribute to computational modeling of microbial community metabolism.
• Maintain lab records and manage sample inventories.
• Contribute to manuscript and grant preparation.

Skills

Microbiome sequencing

16S rRNA sequencing workflows

Bioinformatic analysis

Python/R scripting

Linux/command-line

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent training

Preferred: Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MICOM

COBRApy

Cheminformatics toolkits

Job description

Employment Opportunities Designed to Help Us Collaborate in Creation!

Research Assistant I (Larsen Lab)

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Position Details

Position Details Job Title RESEARCH ASST I Position Number 8151041 Work Modality Fully In-Person Is this request for the creation of a new Position (or the modification of an existing Position) to temporarily support the WorkDay ERP? Yes Job Category University Staff Job Type Full-Time FLSA Status Non-Exempt Campus Maywood-Health Sciences Campus Department Name DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE Location Code DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE (06500A) Is this split and/or fully grant funded? Yes

Duties and Responsibilities We are seeking a motivated Research Technician to join our laboratory studying host-microbiome interactions and microbial metabolism. The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing projects involving microbiome sequencing, metabolic modeling, and cheminformatic analysis of microbial metabolites. The Research Technician will perform and assist in the design of 16S rRNA sequencing workflows, conduct bioinformatic analysis of microbiome datasets, and contribute to the computational modeling of microbial community metabolism. The position also involves maintaining laboratory records, managing sample inventories, and contributing to manuscript and grant preparation.

Minimum Education and/or Work Experience

• Education
  • Required: Bachelors Degree OR equivalent training acquired via work experience or education
  • Preferred: Bachelors Degree
• Experience
  • Required: None
  • Preferred: 1-2 years of previous job-related experience

Qualifications A Bachelor of Science degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computational biology, or a closely related field is required. Candidates must have hands-on experience with microbiome sequencing methodologies and proficiency in downstream bioinformatic analysis using standard pipelines and tools. Computational experience including scripting in Python or R and familiarity with Linux/command-line environments is required. A background in chemistry and/or chemoinformatics, including experience with chemical structure databases, metabolite annotation, or cheminformatic toolkits, is also required. Experience with metabolic flux modeling (e.g., MICOM , COBRApy) or multi-omics data integration is a plus, as is familiarity with machine learning applications in biological data analysis. This is a full-time position based in an academic research laboratory. The role involves both wet-lab and computational work. Candidates who thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment and who demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills are encouraged to apply.

Certificates/Credentials/Licenses N/A

Computer Skills Basic Computer Skills – MS Office

Supervisory Responsibilities No

Required operation of university owned vehicles No

Does this position require direct animal or patient contact? Yes

Physical Demands Repetitive Motions

Working Conditions Ventilation, Odors, Animals

Open Date 07/28/2026

Close Date

Position Maximum Salary or Hourly Rate $22/hr

Position Minimum Salary or Hourly Rate $18/hr

Special Instructions to Applicants As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago’s mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/ . For information about the university’s focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed

About Loyola University Chicago Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes —including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences—Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country’s most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.

Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here.

Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy. Quick Link for Posting https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/35528

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent and one to three years of relevant experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Why do you want to work for Loyola University Chicago?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * How do your personal values align with Loyola University Chicago's mission and values?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Public Job Posting
  • Internal Job Posting
  • Agency Referral
  • Advertisement/Publication
  • Personal Referral
  • Website
  • Other

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• Curriculum Vitae

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