Research Specialist II – Picking Lab

University of Missouri System; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Missouri System's Bond Life Sciences Center seeks a Research Specialist II to support laboratory research and animal studies. The role emphasizes hands-on tasks, collaboration, and maintaining an organized lab environment.

The position is full-time in the Life Sciences Center with a Monday–Friday schedule and occasional weekend animal checks. Salary range provided; visa sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 1 year of related experience.
• Basic lab skills such as making buffers and pipetting.
• Experience with mouse work and basic bacteriology preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal experiments and maintain animal breeding colonies.
• Perform laboratory assays, including ELISAs and BLISAs.
• Maintain and develop SOPs to support FDA compliance.
• Support laboratory safety, cleanliness, inventory, stocking, and solution preparation.
• Collaborate with lab members to support day-to-day research activities.
• Communicate experimental results, observations, and potential issues to the Principal Investigator.

Skills

Lab skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

The Picking Lab is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Specialist II to support laboratory research and animal studies. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands‑on research, collaborative teamwork, and contributing to a well‑organized laboratory environment.

Hiring Department

Life Sciences Center

Key Responsibilities Include

• Assist with animal experiments and maintain animal breeding colonies.
• Perform laboratory assays, including ELISAs and BLISAs.
• Maintain and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support FDA compliance.
• Support laboratory safety, cleanliness, inventory, stocking, and solution preparation.
• Collaborate with lab members to support day‑to‑day research activities.
• Communicate experimental results, observations, and potential issues to the Principal Investigator.

Shift

Monday‑Friday 8am‑5pm, with some early hours and some animals checks on weekends as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and at least 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Basic lab skills such as making buffers, pipetting, mouse work and basic bacteriology

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $19.25-$24.05 per hour
Grade: GGS 008
University Title: Research Specialist II
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Other Information

Want To Learn More Directly From People That Work At The Bond Life Sciences Center? Check Out Our Latest Video Highlighting The Important Work And Experiences Of Our Team https://mizzou.us/WorkatBondLSC

About Us

The Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri is a dynamic hub where groundbreaking research meets real-world impact. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, our state‑of‑the‑art facility brings together experts in diverse fields—engineers, cancer biologists, plant scientists, and IT specialists—all working towards a common goal: to save lives, reduce costs, and enhance everyday life for Missourians and people around the globe.

Our Mission

We are committed to transforming scientific discoveries into actionable solutions. Our innovative research not only addresses pressing challenges in human and animal health, the environment, and agriculture, but it also translates into meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals everywhere. We also strive to share our findings with the public, ensuring that our discoveries resonate far beyond the lab in a language anyone can understand through our blog, Decoding Science, events for the public, social media and more.

Community Information

Columbia offers small‑town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big‑city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.