Basic functions and responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Principal Investigator perform technical support to drive scientific research in the field of pediatric neuro-oncology. Participate in supervising junior research staff and support personal. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Independently implement technical procedures for assignments (30%), including:
  • Lead organization, collection, characterization of human samples (including perform consents and organize sample collection)
  • Perform molecular profiling (ddPCR, Nanopore, Ilumina) of human specimen samples and supervise/train lab members in these experiments
  • Assist in efforts to obtain CLIA certification of molecular assays
• Perform lab administrative duties (supply ordering, record keeping, undergraduate student scheduling, lab maintenance and organizational scheduling) (30%)
• Participate in formulating research methods and suggest options for improving quality
• Assist other team members in their projects (30%)
• Independently participate in academic authorship of manuscripts and grants related to lab work (10%)
• Make recommendations on best technical approaches to investigate a scientific problem
• Independently implement technical procedures for assignments.
• Participate in laboratory meetings
• Responsible for accurate record keeping 
• Interact with collaborators as necessary to provide interpretation of study results
• Communicate and make recommendations to other scientist in the team 
• Train personnel in existing laboratory techniques and procedures, explain and demonstrate technology and equipment capabilities, operation limitation and outcomes 

Supervision Received

Direction is received from the Principal Investigator. Staff members in this classification are expected to work independently and in collaboration with other laboratory personnel, regularly exercise good judgment in setting priorities, resolving operational problems and the application of procedures, methods and policies. 

Supervision Exercised 

Functional supervision may be exercised over lab assistant, graduate and undergraduate students and other junior personnel

• HS Diploma or Assoc Degree and 1 year experience required. Bachelor's Degree preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted, including relevant undergraduate and graduate student work experience
• Exceptional work ethic in a highly competitive environment
• Ability to communicate with patients/clinicians about clinical research project
• Ability to communicate clearly the results of his/her experiments to other team members
• Working knowledge of principles in molecular biology, microbiology and immunology
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and GraphPad Prism 
• Familiarity with basic laboratory instrumentation and maintenance of laboratory equipment 
• Proficient in record keeping 
• A solid command of tissue culture and in conducting studies in a BSL-2 environment is necessary
• A proved record in cellular and biochemical drug screening assays is required

• Experience with brain tumor invitro experimental techniques
• Bachelor's Degree at minimum, Master's Degree or PhD in a recognized field of science directly related to the position preferred 
• One year of directly related laboratory experience at minimum, two to three years' preferred 
• Familiarity with University research administration policies and procedures
• Hands on skills and experience in immunological, biochemical and molecular techniques including isolation of primary cells, quantification of mRNA (qPCR). cloning, and protein expression, ELISA, western blotting, biochemical and cellular screening assays 
• Bioinformatics, computer programming experience (R, Python)

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.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.