Job Summary
We are seeking a Lab Manager/Mouse Technician to join the Division of Surgical Oncology within the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan at the Rogel Cancer Center. This dual-role position combines laboratory management responsibilities with hands-on mouse colony and animal research techniques, supporting the PIs in advancing translational and basic science research in sarcoma and melanoma. The successful candidate will be expected to uphold the highest ethical standards in animal care, research conduct, and regulatory compliance at all times.
The position is full-time. The successful candidate will oversee day-to-day lab operations while also directly maintaining mouse colonies and participating in basic science/applied bench research. The candidate will work closely with graduate students, senior researchers, and undergraduates, serving as a mentor and resource within the lab, and will be responsible for coordinating with collaborators at both U-M and outside institutions to support ongoing research initiatives. The applicant is expected to work collaboratively but fairly independently.
Responsibilities*
Lab Management Responsibilities*
- Oversee general lab management, including ordering of supplies and reagents.
- Coordinate submission of ULAM protocols for approval; serve as a resource and point of contact for active protocols.
- Manage IACUC and IBC protocol compliance and renewals, ensuring all research activities adhere to institutional and federal ethical standards.
- Create and maintain source documents for accurate, honest, and reproducible tracking, collection, and recording of experimental data.
- Maintain a comprehensive database of mouse colonies, tissues, and tumors ? including database creation, data entry, and retrieval of specimen details.
- Serve as a liaison between the lab and regulatory/administrative bodies (e.g., ULAM, IACUC, IBC), promoting a culture of compliance and ethical accountability.
- Coordinate research activities and communications with collaborators at U-M and external institutions, ensuring timely sharing of data, materials, and protocols as needed.
- Train and support graduate students, senior researchers, and undergraduates in laboratory procedures, mouse handling techniques, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Mouse Technician Responsibilities*
- Maintain mouse colonies, including genotyping (ear tag/tail sampling, DNA extraction, PCR), gender determination, and proper handling/restraint for routine procedures ? always in accordance with the principles of humane animal care (the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).
- Monitor mice for normal and abnormal physical/behavioral changes and tumor growth, promptly reporting any welfare concerns to the appropriate oversight bodies.
- Administer appropriate methods of anesthesia and euthanasia in strict accordance with IACUC guidelines and ethical standards for minimizing animal distress.
- Assist with animal surgeries, including orthotopic tumor transplantation, tumor monitoring, and medication administration (oral, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal), ensuring adherence to approved protocols.
- Assist with animal tissue dissection, tissue fixation, sectioning, and immunohistochemical/immunofluorescent staining.
- Perform tissue processing and storage.
- Perform cell culture, single-cell extraction from tissue, RNA/DNA isolation, and qRT-PCR.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent professional degree.
- Minimum 5 years of mouse handling/colony management experience and basic science research experience.
- Demonstrated experience in lab management or administrative oversight of a research lab (e.g., ordering, regulatory compliance, protocol management).
- Strong understanding of and demonstrated commitment to ethical animal research practices and humane animal care standards.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and GraphPad Prism.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based research environment, including with trainees at multiple levels (undergraduate, graduate, and senior researchers).
- Strong commitment to excellence and ethical integrity in both research execution and lab operations.
Desired Qualifications*
- Working knowledge of ULAM and applicable regulatory guidelines (IACUC, IBC).
- Prior experience with laboratory administration and/or grant-funded research compliance.
- Demonstrated understanding of responsible conduct of research (RCR) principles, including data integrity and ethical animal use.
- Experience coordinating with external collaborators or multi-institutional research teams.
- Highly motivated, well-organized, and able to work with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work efficiently, follow instructions meticulously, and maintain a reliable work schedule.
- Flexibility with scheduling to accommodate both animal husbandry needs and lab management meetings/deadlines.
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 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.