Summary
We are seeking a meticulous, well-organized, and team science-oriented researcher to join our Kidney Organoid Laboratory led by Dr. Jennifer Harder and expand our ability to model human kidney diseases. The Organoid Lab is one arm of the internationally recognized Michigan Kidney Translational Medicine Center, a highly collaborative multi-disciplinary 50+ member team with both wet and dry lab expertise led by Dr. Matthias Kretzler. Our shared mission is to identify molecular mechanisms of kidney disease to better inform diagnosis and treatment. For more information, see http://www.miktmc.org
Mission Statement
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.
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
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
Responsibilities*
Under the daily direction of our Research Lab Specialist Senior, you will help to do the following:
- Generate, harvest and evaluate samples involving kidney organoid cultures and microphysiologic (microfluidics) systems for desired down-stream applications
- Expand, passage, freeze/thaw and perform QC studies of stem cell and immortalized cell lines
- Generate single cell suspensions of organoids for FACS and RNA sequencing
- Facilitate Organoid Labs progress by working collaboratively with colleagues to generate, care for, harvest and share cell cultures and associated samples
- Share responsibility for critical evening and weekend cell culture coverage needs with the organoid team
- Perform molecular biology techniques involving RNA, DNA & protein isolation and quantification, EP-PCR, qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, ELISAs, cell fractionation, gel electrophoresis
- Perform cryosectioning and immunohistochemistry/immunocytochemistry
- Perform and analyze epifluorescence & confocal imaging of samples and perform data quantification
- Design and iteratively optimize experiments with input & feedback from the organoid team
- Investigate, develop, optimize, and integrate new reagents, techniques, assays and procedures in the laboratory as needed; prepare Standard Operating Procedures for associated protocols
- Consistently maintain thorough inventory & data records shared by the organoid team
- Share duties for meticulous organoid lab upkeep of tissue culture-related reagents, cell lines and plasticware inventory, lab equipment and general cell culture room maintenance which may involve planning/researching, cleaning, assembling, testing, calibrating or making minor repairs to equipment
- Prepare, deliver and/or ship samples locally, nationally and internationally
- Analyze data, generate images, and write methods for grants, presentations, progress reports and manuscript preparation under the direction of the Organoid Lab Director
- Adhere to human subject research protections, regulatory oversight, and non-disclosure agreements
- Work with the Organoid Lab & larger MiKTMC team to provide grant & funding deliverables on time
- Attend weekly MiKTMC meeting, Office Hours with Organoid Lab Director, and Organoid Lab meeting
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in scientific field
- Committment to generate high quality, reproducible data and to adhere to lab safety and regulatory requirements
- High level of personal responsibility, meticulous attention to detail, great organization, communication and interpersonal skills, promptness and eagerness to be involved in a highly collaborative wet lab all a must
- Ability to work indendently (after appropriate training period) as well as coopreatively
- Flexiblity to cover shared responsibility for timed evening and weekend cell culture needs
- Willingness to take direction from and be overseen by experienced colleagues & to share samples and data
- Comfort with Excel, Word, Powerpoint applications as well as online resources for data analysis and presentation
- Willing to make at least 3 year committment
Associate Requirements:
- Minimum 2 years of laboratory experience with (ideally advanced) techniques in cell culture & molecular biology
Intermediate Requirements:
- 4-5 years of laboratory experience with (ideally advanced) techniques in cell culture & molecular biology
Desired Qualifications*
- Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree preferred.
- Experience with stem cell cultures
- Experience with cryosectioning, ICC/IHC and advanced microscopy
- Experience with statistical analysis tools for biological data
- Willingness to travel and present at conferences
Underfill Statement
This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.
Background Screening
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.
Application Deadline
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.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.