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
We are looking for a highly motivated, highly competent, individual for a full-time research lab technician intermediate position in the Baldridge lab, a basic research laboratory housed in the Department of Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan Medical School. The applicant will participate in general laboratory group maintenance along with at least half of their time on research appropriate for their training level. They will work closely in a team on research that is focused on protein-quality control systems and membrane protein biology using, primarily, yeast as a model organism. Contributions to the research projects will result in co-authorship on publications from the lab.
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*
Laboratory maintenance and organization: You will assist in the ordering and management of lab supplies, lab organization, lab safety records, and lab inspections to ensure that the laboratory operates efficiently and safely. This will include maintenance of lab stocks, defrosting freezers, facilitating repairs on instrumentation, coordination for building maintenance/repairs, coordination of lab meeting and journal club schedules, and working with environmental health and safety (EHS) for disposal of chemical waste.
Active research projects: You will spend at least 50% of your time working on research projects related to protein quality control, protein degradation, and targeted protein degradation. This includes accurate record keeping of your work and communicating your results through discussions with lab members and participation and presentations in lab meetings. At times, the applicant will drive an independent research project, while at other times, will require close collaboration with others in the lab to make sure the lab?s research goals are met. Contributions to the research projects will result in co-authorship on publications from the lab.
Preparation of liquid culture media, agar plates, and general solutions: You will be responsible for preparing the necessary solutions and media required for general lab support and your experiments, including with the associated calculations.
Culturing yeast, bacteria, and genetically manipulating these organisms: You will need to culture, maintain stocks, transform, sporulate, and perform genetic manipulations of these microorganisms to advance our goals.
General molecular biology and cloning: You will perform PCR, DNA preparations, and bacterial transformations to modify DNA and generate clones.
Protein expression and purification: You will express and purify proteins from various biological sources using a range techniques including size exclusion chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, affinity methods, etc.. This involves following protocols and making decisions based on the real-time observations. These will include general lab reagents and for individual project experiments.
You will be expected to read primary scientific literature and parse the relevant information to contribute intellectually to the research work.
Proficiency with these techniques will allow training in more advanced methods including flow cytometry, DNA library preparation, next-gen sequencing, data analysis, and maintenance and experimentation in mammalian tissue culture cells.
Training and assisting other lab members: You will assist other lab members (undergraduate students, graduate students, and other technicians) in their research work, training them on lab techniques, instruments, and protocols to help advance the research goals of the lab.
Assisting the PI: At times, you will work with the PI to complete individual tasks or assist other lab members, at the PI?s direction.
While the position is for 40 hours a week, it is likely that certain experiments will require longer hours on some days. In general, in this research lab, work schedules can be flexible based on many factors.
Required Qualifications*
High School Diploma or Associate Degree in Biochemistry or Biology or a related field with 1-3 years previous laboratory research experience. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with laboratory team members. The successful applicant will be looking to advance their training while contributing to the research output of the laboratory. Accurate record-keeping is essential along with the ability to communicate, interact, and work closely with others. The successful applicant will be a motivated, ambitious individual looking to advance their training in a research setting.
Desired Qualifications*
Bachelor?s Degree in Biochemistry or Biology or a related field with some previous laboratory research experience.
Laboratory research experience in protein quality control and protein degradation.
Ability to work on multiple projects both collaboratively and/or independently.
Applicants with additional qualifications and experience are also encouraged to apply or contact the PI to express their interest.
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.
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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.