Senior Laboratory Sciences Professional

CU Denver; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 56,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO seeks a Senior Laboratory Sciences Professional to oversee transgenic mouse colonies, breed design, animal husbandry, and regulatory compliance to support diverse biomedical research programs. The role emphasizes strategic colony management, data integrity, and efficient resource utilization.

The successful candidate will coordinate with PIs and veterinary teams, maintain records, ensure study timelines, and advance methodological

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or related field.
• Two (2) years of professional-level research experience.
• Master's degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Principal Investigators, researchers, clinicians, veterinary staff, and animal care personnel to support research activities and study objectives.
• Provide laboratory and research support by performing experiments, utilizing specialized laboratory techniques, conducting analytical testing processes, collecting and preparing samples, evaluating results, analyzing data, and communicating findings.
• Coordinate breeding strategies for transgenic mouse colonies and ensure compliance with 3Rs principles.

Skills

Safety procedures

Written and verbal communication

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Laboratory techniques

Job description

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department of Pediatrics | Section of Neonatology

Job Title: Senior Laboratory Sciences Professional

Schedule: Full-time

Job Summary

The Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, is seeking a Senior Laboratory Sciences Professional. This position will be responsible for the oversight, coordination, and optimization of transgenic mouse colonies that support biomedical and translational research programs. This position provides strategic leadership for colony management activities, including breeding program design, animal husbandry oversight, colony health monitoring, genotyping coordination, inventory management, and regulatory compliance.

Working closely with Principal Investigators, research staff, veterinary personnel, and animal care teams, the Senior Laboratory Sciences Professional ensures that research colonies are maintained efficiently, ethically, and in accordance with institutional, regulatory, and animal welfare standards. The position is accountable for long-term colony planning, accurate recordkeeping, operational problem-solving, and the development of processes that support scientific objectives while maximizing resource utilization.

The successful candidate will possess strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, along with expertise in laboratory animal management and a commitment to scientific excellence. Through centralized oversight of colony operations, this role enhances research productivity, supports study timelines, and enables investigators to focus on research design, execution, and scientific discovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with and serve as a resource to Principal Investigators (PIs), researchers, clinicians, veterinary staff, animal care personnel, and other stakeholders to support research activities and study objectives.
• Provide laboratory and research support by performing experiments, utilizing specialized laboratory techniques, conducting analytical testing processes, collecting and preparing samples, evaluating results, analyzing data, and communicating findings.
• Support study design, study oversight, data management, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and the development of research methodologies across a wide range of research disciplines.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, inventory management, stocking supplies, safety compliance, cleanliness, sample handling, transportation of research materials, and disposal of laboratory materials according to established guidelines.
• Design, manage, and optimize breeding strategies for transgenic mouse colonies to support current and future research needs while ensuring compliance with the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement (3Rs).
• Monitor animal health, welfare, breeding performance, productivity, genotypes, pedigrees, and colony inventories; coordinate with veterinary staff as needed and ensure compliance with IACUC protocols and institutional policies.
• Coordinate animal requests, breeding schedules, colony planning, animal transfers, imports and exports, tissue collection, sample processing, genotyping activities, and preparation of animals for experimental studies.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, inventories, breeding documentation, laboratory logs, subject-level documentation, and research data; prepare reports, breeding summaries, census reports, and other required documentation.
• Analyze laboratory and colony performance data, identify trends and operational challenges, troubleshoot issues, and develop recommendations to improve research outcomes, breeding efficiency, operational effectiveness, and resource utilization.
• Develop, review, implement, and maintain laboratory and colony management procedures, protocols, training materials, process flows, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, institutional requirements, quality standards, and laboratory best practices; identify concerns and escalate issues when necessary.
• Independently identify and implement innovative laboratory and colony management solutions, develop or modify research techniques and procedures, and support continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Assist leadership with quality improvement efforts, development of operational processes and procedures, strategic planning, and implementation of best practices.
• Train, mentor, and provide guidance to laboratory personnel and junior team members on laboratory operations, research procedures, animal colony management, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels, forecast future research and colony needs, coordinate procurement of supplies and materials, and maintain resources necessary to support research operations and timelines.

Work Location

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO

Why Join Us

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical, and research facility serving 4,500 students and is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of life-changing science, medicine, and healthcare. CU Anschutz offers more than 42 highly rated degree programs through 6 schools and colleges and receives over $500 million in research awards each year. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado, awarding nearly 1,450 degrees annually. Powered by our award-winning faculty, renowned researchers, and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offerexceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or related field.
• Two (2) years of professional-level research experience.
  • Substitution: An advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis if the degree is in a field of study directly related to the work assignment.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in an experimental or wet laboratory.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.
• Must be willing and able to pass national criminal and sex offender background checks.
• Must successfully pass a 10-panel drug screen through Children's Hospital Colorado.

*For questions regarding Children's Hospital drug testing requirements, please contact Children's Human Resources at 720-777-8598. Some positions may require testing if access to Children's Hospital or their systems is needed at any time during employment with the University. If drug testing is required, it will be listed in the job posting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques including safety procedures and techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Knowledge of basic human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
• Ability to interpret and master complex research protocol information.

Screening of Applications Begins

Immediately and closes five (5) days after the posting date.

Anticipated Pay Range

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as

• $56,249 to $75,373.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.