Senior Research Specialist - Center for Discovery and Innovation

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center; Nutley (NJ); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health's Center for Discovery and Innovation seeks a Senior Research Specialist to support daily lab operations and perform experiments under supervision. The role emphasizes independent design, data analysis, and collaboration across departments.

The successful candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in a lab field with at least four years of experience, meticulous record keeping, and strong communication. Flexibility to work extra hours and weekends as needed is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a lab-related field.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant lab experience.
• Meticulous data recording and integrity.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Proficient with Office/Google Suite.
• Flexible schedule for occasional extended hours.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform experiments independently.
• Review progress, evaluate results, and draw conclusions.
• Ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness.
• Maintain detailed protocols and data records.
• Train new personnel and collaborate with departments.
• Assist in managing general laboratory functions.
• Adhere to organizational competencies and standards.

Education

Bachelor's degree in lab field

Job description

Overview

The Center for Discovery and Innovation- CDI was established by Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) as an academic basic and translational research enterprise to rapidly translate science innovation to the clinic and to improve outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disease and other acute and chronic diseases. The CDI has grown rapidly since its origins in 2019, and now has 39 labs, 200+ scientists and allied personnel supported by 78 NIH and DoD grants and more than 87 other grants and contracts. Areas of expertise include genomics, epigenetics, drug resistance, stem cell biology, drug discovery, diagnostics and biomarker development, rheumatology and pharmacology.

• Requisition # 2026-187172
• ShiftDay
• StatusFull Time with Benefits

The Senior Research Specialist, CDI will function under the supervision of a Mgr, Associate Member of the Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI). This role will be responsible for assisting in the daily function of the laboratory and in conducting experiments.

A day in the life of a Senior Research Specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Independently designs and performs experiments, within an assigned project and reviews progress, evaluates results, and develops conclusions.
• Contributes to determining feasibility of goals and objectives.
• Assures quality, cost effectiveness, and timeliness of assigned projects.
• Participates in formulating research methods and suggesting options for improving quality and recommending solutions.
• Identifies problems and related technical issues and makes recommendations leading to long-term solutions.
• Performs data collection, screening and verifying data.
• Analyzes experimental results and interprets and implements research methodology based on outcome of analyses.
• Manages specialized research laboratory functions.
• Collaborates with other departments to answer questions or provides advice on research projects and Experiments.
• Organizes and maintains lab space.
• Maintains detailed protocols and records of data related to executed laboratory work.
• Assists in managing general laboratory functions.
• Trains new personnel and investigators working in the laboratory relating to methods listed above.
• Appropriate use of equipment necessary to perform these studies, purchase of supplies and reagents necessary for these studies.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's diploma/degree in lab specific field or other relevant area of study.
• Minimum of 4 or more years of experience.
• Meticulous record keeping to ensure integrity of the data.
• Must be able to work independently and have a strong work ethic.
• Lab specific technical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.
• Must be flexible in work schedule. Must be available to occasionally come to the laboratory on a weekend day for a few hours or stay late in evenings for a given experiment.

Education, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Preferred

• Recent Ph.D. (within 2 years) or Master's degree.
• Experience working in a BSL2/BSL3 lab facility.
• Experience with small animal handling.
• Previous experience in lab specific field.
• Other lab specific.

Licenses And Certifications Required

• Lab specific.

Licenses And Certifications Preferred

• Lab specific.

Compensation

Minimum rate of $50,627.20 Annually

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.

Job Duties

• Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
• Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
• Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
• Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
• Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
• Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
• Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH (HMH) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available to an employer the results of a genetic test, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, national origin, nationality, ancestry, disability, marital status, liability for military service, or status as a protected veteran.

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is a Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Facility