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.

The newly launched Parolia Laboratory at the Rogel Cancer Center is looking for an energetic, highly motivated individual to join our team as a Research Laboratory Specialist (associate/intermediate). Candidates who enjoy a fast-paced lab environment focused on mechanistic and translational cancer research are encouraged to apply. 

The successful candidate will play a key role in continuing experimental efforts in an on-going project in the Parolia laboratory. The candidate will perform functional multi-omics assays (e.g., RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, proteomic profiling) to study transcription factor dependencies in cancer models. They will also conduct drug sensitivity screenings (IC50/EC50) and validate screening hits using in vitro (cell lines, organoids) and in vivo (mouse xenograft/PDX models) systems. They will optimize protocols for NGS library preparation, CRISPR-Cas9 editing, and high-throughput molecular assays. They will document and analyze results and contribute to manuscript preparation and present findings at lab meetings. The candidate will have weekly scheduled meetings with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Abhijit Parolia an Assistant Professor in Pathology & Urology in the medical school. They will work in a small team of 2-3 individuals and, importantly, they will be provided thorough training in all tasks required as part of the job. They will be involved in collaborative and intellectually engaging translational cancer research. Detailed descriptions of expected duties are included under Responsibilities and labs mission under Environment and Mission sections below.

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.

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

• Carry out in vitro and in vivo experiments for a hypothesis driven project focused on studying chromatin and transcriptional defects in cancer.
• Performs animal efficacy studies testing novel cancer drugs in solo or combinatorial regimens.  
• Document, compile, and analyze experimental data and discuss with the supervisor in oral and written reports.
• Attend team meetings and present data updates.
• Assist project leads with basic wet-lab techniques, including but not limited to: genomic DNA extraction, RNA extraction, western blotting, mycoplasma testing, STR genotyping of cells, molecular cloning, PCR, mammalian tissue culture. 
• Learn and execute existing Illumina sequencing platforms and next-generation sequencing library protocols, or other high-throughput techniques as technologies advance.
• Other related tasks as required. 

• For the Associate level, a Bachelor degree and 1 to 3 years experience in life sciences or other relevant discipline
• For the Intermediate level, a Masters degree and 4 to 5 years experience in life sciences or other relevant discipline

Skills and Abilities:

• Prior experience with molecular biology, genomic techniques, mammalian tissue culture and next-generation sequencing platforms is strongly desired. Particular attention will be paid to prior experience with next-generation sequencing protocols.
• Prior experience with animal handling and experiment is preferred.
• Exceptional organization and attention to detail are essential, related to lab management tasks, personnel, experimental protocols.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff and with external contacts are needed.
• Ability and eagerness to learn in a self-motivating high-paced research environment.

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.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

The Parolia Lab, was launched in Fall 2023 at the Rogel Cancer Center in the UM Hospital, seeks to create a work culture based on respect, integrity, perseverance, and fun. We aspire to be creative, collaborative, and caring scientists while studying one of the most menacing diseases of our times. We will routinely collaborate with cancer labs both nationally and globally, creating a rich and holistic learning and training environment. We welcome applicants of all kinds with diverse career aspirations.

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.