A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

A full time research specialist position is available in the Kaczorowski lab in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan Kaczorowski Lab (umich.edu). We are seeking a laboratory specialist with experience in mouse colony management, rodent handling and behavior techniques to work on several exciting projects involving rodent modeling of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease.

The successful applicant serves as the labs research colony manager, responsible for overseeing transgenic mouse colonies and participating in various aspects of animal care, including handling, conducting behavior assays, genotyping, and weaning. Additionally, this position will mentor undergraduate research assistants and junior technicians in the lab, providing training and guidance as needed. We are looking for someone that has the aptitude to learn new techniques, works well with others, and possesses strong critical thinking skills.

• Facilitate day to day research laboratory operations involving weaning and submitting genotyping plates to Transnetyx.
• Serve as the point of contact for biannual IACUC inspections, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.
• Manage the laboratorys LIMBS system, RockStep's Climb Platform ensuring accurate tracking and identification of metadata associated with research activities.
• Facilitate animal research by the faculty, students, and postdocs in the lab and assist when needed.
• Coordinate with the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) and research team.
• Maintain mouse colonies, including supervision of genotyping and genetic crosses.
• Onboard and train users in lab protocols, equipment operation and standard techniques.
• Participate in periodic research discussions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, according to research or lab needs.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of hands on experience as a mouse colony manager.

• At least 6 years of direct experience with mouse handling, including weaning, genotyping, routine cage maintenance, and health monitoring.

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree in a veterinary science or similar scientific field.

• Proficiency with excel (training is provided).

• Experience with laboratory management systems.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.