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.
Job Summary
The Research Area Specialist, Intermediate or Senior level, will join a sports medicine and interdisciplinary musculoskeletal research laboratory focused on clinical trials, epidemiology, outcomes, and genomics research in orthopedics and rehabilitation medicine. The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator on NIH-funded and investigator-initiated studies investigating genetics, genomics (including bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and miRNAs), as well as molecular mechanisms underlying shoulder disorders, such as rotator cuff tears and glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
As a Research Area Specialist Intermediate or Senior level within PM&R /Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan, the candidate will benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, mentorship, and analytical support. In particular, the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI) and the MICHR offer a variety of grant-writing and career development workshops, training opportunities, and internal grants.
In addition to technical and scientific writing skills, ideal candidates should possess excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities and must thrive in both team and individual environments. Since the candidate will be leading the effort in these projects, he/she must also have strong organizational and communication skills. Candidates for this position should be internally motivated, detail-oriented, intellectually curious, and eager to further develop their skill set.
Responsibilities*
The Research Area Specialist will work with substantial independence and will contribute to multiple aspects of the research program, including:
- Coordinate and manage multiple clinical, translational, and genomic research projects.
- Design, implement, and optimize experimental and computational research methodologies.
- Perform quality control, phasing, imputation, association testing, meta-analysis, and fine-mapping of genome-wide genetic data.
- Develop, maintain, and improve bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput genomic analyses using high-performance computing and cloud-based environments.
- Process, harmonize, curate, and manage large clinical, genomic, and multi-omics datasets.
- Perform quality control, normalization, and downstream analyses of bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics datasets.
- Conduct differential gene expression, pathway enrichment, cell-type annotation, cell-cell communication, trajectory, and integrative multi-omics analyses.
- Interpret study findings and develop new analytical strategies to address complex biological questions.
- Prepare figures, tables, reports, manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations for scientific meetings and peer-reviewed publications.
- Contribute to the preparation of NIH grant applications, progress reports, and other research proposals.
- Coordinate collaborations with investigators, institutional cores, and external research partners.
- Maintain accurate research documentation and ensure compliance with institutional, regulatory, and funding agency requirements.
- Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to students, research assistants, and junior laboratory personnel.
- Present research findings during laboratory meetings, institutional seminars, and national scientific conferences.
Required Qualifications*
* Appointment level will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, and qualifications.
Research Area Specialist Intermediate
Bachelor's degree in bioinformatics or computational biology
Four to five years of relevant research experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience in genomic data analysis and statistical programming.
Research Area Specialist Senior
- Bachelor's degree with five or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, including undergraduate and graduate student experience.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex research projects and contribute to research design, data analysis, and scientific publications.
Desired Qualifications*
Research Area Specialist Senior & Intermediate:
Education: Master's or doctoral degree in bioinformatics or computational biology
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and statistical genetics
- Whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing analyses
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- Multi-omics data integration
- Population genetics and genetic epidemiology
- High-performance computing (HPC) and cloud computing environments
- Bioinformatics software including PLINK, BEAGLE, IMPUTE2, Michigan Imputation Server, Seurat, edgeR, limma, and related tools
- Programming experience in R, Python, and Linux
- Public genomic resources such as GTEx, ENCODE, UK Biobank, and the 1000 Genomes Project
- Experience with scientific writing, manuscript preparation, and NIH grant development
- Outstanding analytical, organizational, written, and interpersonal communication skills are essential. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
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
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.
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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.