Research Lab Specialist Lead

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

Professor Randy Stockbridge seeks a candidate for an open Research Laboratory Specialist Lead position in the laboratory in the department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) within the College of Literature, Sciences, and Arts (LSA). 

The Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology conducts basic research about the function of all branches of life - bacteria, plants, and animals. The research portfolio includes more than 40 sponsored awards, amounting to more than $8 million. Learn more on the faculty and lab pages.

We are also home to the more 300 students each year who graduate with majors in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; plant biology; biology, health and society; and microbiology.
 

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.

Responsibilities*

Supervise research personnel - 30%

• Supervise undergraduate students and technicians, including day to day assignments and long term project goals. 
• Meet with graduate students to help guide their projects
• Train all lab members in new techniques
• Train all lab members in data analysis
• Aid all lab members in troubleshooting their experiments 
• Supervise rotation student projects 
• Provide feedback to graduate students on fellowship, manuscript, poster, talks drafts

Conduct research independently - 40%

• Candidate should have experience in cryo-EM sample preparation, data collection, and processing
• Literature review 
• Create big picture and specific project goals
• Sample preparation: develop and optimize protocols for protein purification, reconstitution, and cryo-EM sample preparation
• Protocol development: optimize cryo-EM sample preparation, data collection, and processing approaches unique to each project
• Design, conduct and analyze experiments (including electron microscopy, biochemistry, and electrophysiology)
• Data analysis: interpret results of cryo-EM, biochemical, and electrophysiological experiments
• Communicate results in a variety of formats (figure generation, paper writing, oral communication)

Lab management - 20%

• Coordinate equipment purchase and maintenance
• Contribute to grant writing with the PI (including writing, figures and editing)
• Contribute to personnel hiring decisions with the PI
• Help guide decisions about purchasing of resources for the lab, including large equipment 
• Coordinate with University of Michigan IT support regarding computational and data storage resources, especially for cryo-EM data collection and analysis

Collaborative research projects - 10%

• Literature review 
• Create big picture and specific project goals in collaboration with other labs
• Prepare reagents including proteins
• Develop protocols
• Design, conduct and analyze experiments
• Meet with collaborators to plan experiments, develop methodology, and share results
• Communicate results in a variety of formats (figure generation, paper writing, oral communication)
  
   

Required Qualifications*

Minimum of a Master's degree and 6+ years experience and experience in cryo-EM (sample preparation, data collection, and data processing). 
 

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

This appointment will be for one year with the possibility of renewal based on performance and the availability of funding.

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.

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.