How to Apply
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.
Job Summary
The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan is seeking a Research Laboratory Specialist Intermediate for the Liliana Cortes-Ortiz Laboratory. The Cortes-Ortiz lab uses molecular approaches to investigate processes and mechanisms underlying the origin, maintenance, and evolution of biodiversity. Research in the lab primarily focuses on primate phylogenetics, biogeography, population genetics, and hybridization. Through collaboration with other units at UM, the lab has recently expanded its research foci to include analyses of Peony cultivars.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off, including vacation time, sick time, holiday and season days
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
In addition, LSA offers:
- Strong commitment to work/life balance
- Flexible work arrangements with respect to campus stakeholder needs
- Enhanced tuition support programs for LSA courses
Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.
Responsibilities*
- Oversight of day-to-day operations of the laboratory, including but not limited to supply ordering, inventorying of reagents, supplies, and equipment, promoting compliance with lab safety requirements, establishing/updating protocols for lab procedures as needed, assisting with training and supervision of graduate and undergraduate student researchers. [25%]
- Assist the PI in developing, implementing, and maintaining research databases for samples, photographs, metadata, and sequence and genotype datasets. [10%]
- Collaborate and make key decisions in the design and execution of genetic and genomic projects to address aspects of hybridization and evolution, including but not limited to isolating DNA/RNA from primate and plant samples (frozen or fixed tissue, hair, urine, or fecal samples, samples from museum or herbarium specimens), conducting PCR, library construction for DNA/RNA-seq, and sequence analysis, acquiring knowledge of the related literature, optimizing research protocols, developing options for improving quality, and executing solutions. [20%]
- Maintain detailed records of project results and assist in bioinformatics analysis of data obtained from individual projects. [10%]
- Analyze data for publication and participate in the preparation of research papers, meeting presentations, and grant proposals. [10%]
- Participate actively in lab meetings and communicate well, frequently, and productively with PI [5%]
Required Qualifications*
Master's degree in biology or related field of science and 4 to 5 years of related research experience is required.
Desired Qualifications*
PhD in Biology or related field of science and 3 or more years of related research experience is preferred.
Modes of Work
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.
Additional Information
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
This is a one-year term-limited position with the possibility of a one-year renewal based on satisfactory performance, availability of work, and availability of funding. The position requires an in-person laboratory presence in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.