Staff Scientist

The University Of Chicago; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago’s Department of Pediatrics, Section of Genetics and Genomics seeks a Staff Scientist to lead analytic efforts and coordinate interdisciplinary research on gene regulatory networks in development, with emphasis on cardiac development and congenital heart disease. The incumbent will contribute to manuscripts, grants, and data governance across multiple projects.

The role requires a PhD and 5–7 years of related experience, with strong analytical, organizational, and

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field.
• 5–7 years of relevant work experience in a related discipline.
• Experience with biomedical/genomic research.
• Experience coordinating across projects and investigators.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytic leadership for clinical and registry datasets.
• Ensure rigor, reproducibility, and documentation of code and workflows.
• Coordinate scientific operations across multiple projects and grants.
• Serve as a liaison among team members and collaborators.
• Lead data governance, DUAs, MOUs, and IRB coordination.
• Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, and manuscripts.
• Support growth by expanding analytic capacity and collaborations.
• Train and mentor laboratory personnel.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project coordination

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

PhD in related field

Job description

Department BSD PED - Pediatric Genetics and Genomics

About the Department In the Department of Pediatrics, at the University of Chicago, we strive to provide the highest level of complex care for children from diagnosis and treatment to conducting research to find promising new therapies with a focus on teaching. We are committed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, and the education and training of future clinical pediatricians, subspecialists, educators, clinical investigators and physician-scientists. The Department of Pediatrics is a dynamic, stimulating place to work, and because we are focused on growth and improved excellence, our staff have particularly challenging and rewarding roles.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago’s Department of Pediatrics, Section of Genetics and Genomics in the Biological Sciences Division seeks a full-time Staff Scientist to support and advance an interdisciplinary research program focused on the genetic, genomic and molecular study of gene regulatory networks in developing organs, particularly cardiac development with respect to Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). In cardiac development, we have identified an essential role for cilia-based Hedgehog signaling in cardiac progenitors, an essential aspect of mammalian cardiac development. Our studies have contributed to a paradigm shift in the understanding of cardiac morphogenesis, which is driven by events in cardiac progenitors rather than in the heart itself (e.g. Hoffmann et al., 2009; Xie et al., 2012; Zhou et al., 2017). We have recently identified a surprising and novel role for Hedgehog signaling in developmental timing control that will be the basis of future projects (Rowton et al. 2020). The incumbent’s primary activity will be academic research conducted in close collaboration with the Moskowitz Lab. The Research Staff Scientist will play a central role in analytic leadership, project coordination, and scientific development across multiple funded studies, including NIH-funded studies involving complex genetic, genomic and molecular study of gene regulatory networks in developing organs.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytic leadership for clinical, administrative, and registry linked datasets, including development and implementation of analytic plans in collaboration with the Principal Investigator.
• Ensure analytic rigor, reproducibility, and clear documentation of code, workflows, and outputs, support interpretation and visualization of results for manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications.
• Coordinate scientific operations across multiple research projects and grants, managing timelines, milestones, and deliverables in alignment with funded aims.
• Serve as a scientific liaison among team members and collaborators across institutions and disciplines; identify and troubleshoot analytic, scientific, or operational challenges.
• Lead and oversee data governance and regulatory coordination, including DUAs, MOUs, data sharing agreements, and support for IRB submissions and compliance.
• Contribute substantively to grant applications, progress reports, and manuscripts, including methods, analytic plans, preliminary data, and coordination of co-authors.
• Support strategic development of the research program by identifying opportunities to enhance analytic capacity, data infrastructure, collaborations, and funding.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis.
• Facilitates and promotes a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Trains and mentors laboratory personnel.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a PhD 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 Experience: Experience conducting and analyzing complex biomedical, genetic, genomic, molecular, or related scientific research.
• Experience developing and implementing analytic approaches in collaboration with Principal Investigators and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Experience contributing to scientific manuscripts, presentations, grant applications, or other scholarly research products.
• Experience coordinating research activities across multiple projects, investigators, or collaborating institutions.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem solving skills with the ability to interpret complex research data and scientific findings.
• Strong knowledge of research methods, study design, and principles of scientific rigor and reproducibility.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate scientific information effectively and contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and initiative while collaborating effectively with Principal Investigators, multidisciplinary research teams, and external partners.
• Strong attention to detail and working knowledge of research regulatory requirements, data governance, and applicable research policies and procedures.

Working Conditions

Laboratory environment. Requires extended periods of computer work and data analysis. May require occasional attendance at research meetings, presentations, or collaborative activities outside of regular work location. May require flexibility to meet research, grant, publication, or project deadlines.

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 $80,000.00 - $100,000.00

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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