Senior Research Lab Specialist — Bitbow & Spatial Genomics

Michigan Medicine; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cai Laboratory at the University of Michigan Medical School seeks a Research Laboratory Specialist Senior to lead Bitbow transgenic tool development and multiplexed spatial-omics for mapping mouse neural circuits. The role includes designing experiments, training staff, and contributing to publications and grants.

You will coordinate large projects, supervise juniors, manage lab operations, and work with collaborators to advance shared objectives while presenting findings at meetings and

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and teamwork.
• Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, molecular biology, biology, or related field with 5–6 years of research experience.
• Expertise in molecular cloning and transgenic mouse lines.
• Hands-on multiplexed tissue labeling methods and fluorescence microscopy.
• Experience designing and executing complex experiments and analyzing large datasets.
• Supervisory experience training and mentoring junior lab members.
• PhD in neuroscience or related field preferred with postdoctoral experience.
• Experience in spatial transcriptomics or spatial proteomics assays.
• Familiarity with Brainbow/Bitbow labeling strategies.
• Imaging methods (confocal, light-sheet, expansion) and analysis (Python, MATLAB, ImageJ).
• Strong scientific productivity and grant-writing experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of Bitbow transgenic tools for multicolor labeling and lineage tracing in mouse nervous system.
• Develop and optimize spatial-omics assays co-detecting mRNA and proteins in same sample.
• Plan and conduct large, complex experiments; troubleshoot and improve assays.
• Coordinate data collection, quality control, and analysis of large imaging datasets.
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations, equipment, reagents, mouse colony, safety, and compliance.
• Train and supervise graduate students, undergraduates, and staff; assist PI with resources and budgeting.
• Collaborate with core facilities and other departments; co-author manuscripts and present findings.

Skills

Communication skills

Molecular cloning

Multiplexed labeling

Fluorescence microscopy

Independent experimental design

Supervisory experience

Spatial transcriptomics/proteomics

Bitbow familiarity

Advanced imaging

Publications

Grant applications

Education

Bachelor's degree in neuroscience / related field

PhD in neuroscience / related field (preferred)

Job description

The Cai Laboratory at the University of Michigan Medical School seeks a Research Laboratory Specialist Senior to lead Bitbow transgenic tool development and multiplexed spatial-omics for mapping mouse neural circuits. The role includes designing experiments, training staff, and contributing to publications and grants.

You will coordinate large projects, supervise juniors, manage lab operations, and work with collaborators to advance shared objectives while presenting findings at meetings and