Research Manager

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago invites applications for a full‑time Research Manager in the LaBelle Lab within the BSD PED division. The role focuses on designing and conducting experiments, data analysis, coordinating collaborations, and supporting manuscript and grant preparation for pediatric cancer research.

Under the LaBelle Lab direction, the incumbent will lead multiple projects, oversee lab operations, ensure compliance, and contribute to both basic and translational studies using mouse

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Advanced degree in immunology, cellular immunotherapy, cancer biology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• Completed postdoctoral training with a strong publication record in relevant areas.
• Demonstrate proficiency in techniques including flow cytometry, mouse handling, and molecular biology methods.
• Possess strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes in vivo mouse models, immunologic profiling, and molecular techniques to study immune modulation, tumor‑immune interactions, and therapeutic resistance mechanisms in cancers.
• Provides recommendations on research design and action plans, presents data at labs and meetings, prepares manuscripts.
• Contributes preliminary data for grant proposals and designs projects under PI supervision.
• Oversee collaborations, source data, coordinate the lab, and carry out project activities to completion.
• Designs and manages databases; writes reports, articles and manuscripts.
• Presents research findings at meetings and conferences; reviews literature; maintains effective collaborations.

Job description

Department

BSD PED - Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation - LaBelle Lab

Department

BSD PED - Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation - LaBelle Lab

About The Department

The Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology provides care for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with cancer and other hematologic diseases, requiring the specialty knowledge and skills of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation. In addition to patient care, clinical and translational research, including laboratory-based wet lab and dry lab studies, are conducted by faculty members in the section.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago's Department of Pediatrics Section of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation in the Biological Sciences Division seeks a full‑time Research Manager. The incumbent’s primary activity will be academic research in association with a faculty contributing to research projects focused on the LaBelle Lab.

The incumbent’s primary responsibility will be to advance the research mission of the LaBelle Lab by designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, coordinating collaborations, and contributing to manuscript and grant preparation. The research combines in vivo mouse models, immunologic profiling, and molecular techniques to study immune modulation of different immune cell populations, tumor‑immune interactions, and immune‑based mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in pediatric malignancies. Under the direction of Dr. LaBelle, the incumbent will lead and support multiple research projects, helping to drive forward both basic and translational investigations. This role includes opportunities for independent scientific contributions and leadership within a dynamic, collaborative research environment.

This position offers incumbent career opportunities in advancing biomedical data analytics and project management skills. Under the guidance of a Principal Investigator, the incumbent is expected to design and plan projects, oversee collaborations, source data, coordinate the lab, and carry out research activities of an assigned project through completion. Oversee all aspects of management, scientific technological development, and operations for major research projects or research facilities. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes in vivo mouse models, immunologic profiling, and molecular techniques to study immune modulation, tumor‑immune interactions, and therapeutic resistance mechanisms in cancers. Provides recommendations on research design and action plans, present data and findings at labs and scientific meetings, seminars, etc., prepare manuscripts, and contribute preliminary data for grant proposals.
• Creates and administers initiatives to promote research projects while ensuring adherence to institutional, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research‑related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.
• Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology.
• Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis. Designs and manages databases. Writes reports, articles and manuscripts.
• Presents research findings at meetings and conferences, as well as to funding agencies. Conducts literature reviews. Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education:

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5‑7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in immunology, cellular immunotherapy, cancer biology, molecular biology, or a related field.

Experience:

• Prior experience in tumor immunology, in vivo cancer models, and data analysis tools, such as FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, and R.
• Completed postdoctoral training with a strong publication record in relevant areas.

Preferred Competencies:

• Demonstrate proficiency in techniques including flow cytometry, mouse handling, and molecular biology methods.
• Possess strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.

Working Conditions

• Laboratory setting.
• Weekend/evening hours would be dictated by experiments that necessitate them.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $90,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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