Research Lab Specialist Intermediate

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental and vision

2:1 retirement match

Job summary

University of Michigan is seeking a Research Lab Specialist to join the team focused on Sjogren's disease and exocrine gland research. The role includes managing lab operations, coordinating safety, and maintaining mouse colonies, while supporting projects with cell lines, mouse models, and human samples.

The position emphasizes independent project work with some supervision and opportunities to contribute to scholarly work and grant-funded studies in a leading academic health system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a biological sciences or health-related field.
• 5 years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Expertise in common assays like immunofluorescence, ELISA, western blots.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated interest in biomedical, clinical, or translational research.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day lab activities including protocol maintenance, biosafety, environment, H&S compliance, ordering lab supplies and equipment, and maintaining the mouse colony.
• Identifies research problems and develops complex research methodologies and procedures.
• Collects and analyzes complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision.
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and dissemination of research information.
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding.
• Supervise the day-to-day activities of a research unit as needed.
• Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing advanced level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area.
• Assist with collecting, organizing, and maintaining research data.
• Support laboratory, clinical, computational, or administrative research activities related to Sjogren's disease studies.
• Conduct literature reviews and summarize scientific publications.
• Assist with sample processing, data entry, quality control procedures, and record keeping.
• Prepare research materials, reports, presentations, and study documentation.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, educational activities, and research discussions.
• Learn and apply research methods, laboratory procedures, and data management practices.
• Perform other research support activities as assigned.

Skills

Lab experience

Immunofluorescence

ELISA

Western blot

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Independent & team work

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or health-related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management software

Statistical analysis tools

Job description

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

Located within the NCRC, our lab uses collaboration and the unique strengths of our team members to gain pathogenic insights into glandular immunobiology, improving quality of life and developing cures for patients with dryness and autoimmunity. We have a focus on Sjogren's disease, a systemic autoimmune disease that causes severe dryness but also affects other organ systems. This disease has no disease-modifying treatment. We focus on bench-to-bedside to implement our science to improve human health.

The researcher will be responsible for lab management duties including but not limited to: maintaining biosafety, IRB, and IACUC documentation, mouse colony management, maintaining chemical hygiene plans and chemical inventories, and lab supply and equipment ordering. Research projects will include mouse work modeling autoimmune dry eyes and dry mouth and measuring these features in rodents. Studies will be conducted with cell lines, mouse models, and human samples. We routinely collaborate with other labs and investigators internally and externally. These activities are expected to lead to scholarly work that will be published in scientific journals and presented at national and international meetings. The Research Lab Specialist will work on an independent project with some supervision. Appointment is meant to position the applicant to become an independent Lead within the lab. We invite applications from researchers with a background in exocrine gland research.

Responsibilities*

Under supervision, the Research Lab Specialist

• Manage day-to-day lab activities including protocol maintenance, biosafety and environment, health & safety compliance, ordering lab supplies and equipment, and maintaining the mouse colony.
• Identifies research problems and develops complex research methodologies and procedures
• Collects and analyzes complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
• Supervise the day-to-day activities of a research unit as needed
• Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing advanced level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area
• Assist with collecting, organizing, and maintaining research data.
• Support laboratory, clinical, computational, or administrative research activities related to Sjogren's disease studies.
• Conduct literature reviews and summarize scientific publications.
• Assist with sample processing, data entry, quality control procedures, and record keeping.
• Prepare research materials, reports, presentations, and study documentation.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, educational activities, and research discussions.
• Learn and apply research methods, laboratory procedures, and data management practices.
• Perform other research support activities as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelors degree in a biological sciences or health-related field
• 5 years of relevant laboratory experience
• Expertise in common assays like immunofluorescence, ELISA, western blots
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated interest in biomedical, clinical, or translational research.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with lab management
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, data management software, or statistical analysis tools.
• Interest in autoimmune disease research, academic medicine, or health-related careers.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting.This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.