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 West Laboratory at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is seeking a Research Laboratory Tech Lead. Research in the West Lab focuses on breast cancer tumor progression and metastasis. We are focused on understanding how epithelial tissue becomes broken down to facilitate aggressive cancer cell behaviors. We combine mouse models of breast cancer, organoids, 3D cell and tissue culture, advanced microscopy techniques, and transcriptomic analyses with conventional cell and molecular biology approaches to reveal mechanisms underlying tumor progression and metastasis.
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
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance, including dental/vision
- Life insurance
- Maternity/Parental Leave
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Responsibilities*
Research Development and Execution: (65%)
- Maintain mouse colony. This includes working hands-on with mice to perform genotyping, breeding/weaning, tumor monitoring, and maintaining up-to-date mouse records. The candidate will work with lab members to decide which mice will be required for upcoming experiments in the lab and manage the number of mice in the colony to reflect these needs. The candidate will also oversee all animal experiments in the lab, ensuring all approved IACUC protocols and best practices are being followed, and deciding when lab members have adequate training to perform experiments in mice (i.e. survival surgeries, etc). (50%)
- Perform research. Execute cell and molecular biology experiments and analyze the resulting data related to the lab's research mission including; tissue culture, PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA and RNA sequencing, DNA/RNA/Protein extractions, Western Blots, proteomic approaches (Mass spectrometry), microscopy, cell/tissue processing and microscopy, cloning (Gibson and restriction enzyme based. This includes taking primary responsibility for some experiments and parts of larger projects. (15%)
Lab Maintenance (35%)
- Maintain lab in an organized and orderly condition. Perform lab duties for regular lab maintenance (biohazard waste disposal, making solutions, genotyping, autoclaving, maintaining lab inventory). Generally ensuring that the lab is always clean and organized. (20%)
- Lab Administrative Work. Decide which supplies are best for the lab, ordering said supplies, and maintaining the budget line items. Designing and implementing standard operating procedures that comply with safety protocols. Maintaining lab inventory and ensuring lab is always stocked with required research reagents and supplies. Train undergraduate researchers how to perform lab duties for regular lab maintenance. (15%)
Required Qualifications*
Candidate must have a Bachelor's degree in a related field. 1-2 years of related experience
Previous experience with Molecular Cloning (plasmid amplification and purification, PCR, restriction enzyme based, Gibson assembly, etc?), working with mice, Western Blot, and Mammalian Cell Culture (BSL2).
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.
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
Our position is term-limited for one year. There is a possibility for renewal depending on your performance and the availability of funding. You will be onsite in Ann Arbor, Biological Sciences Building.
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.