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
A laboratory within the College of Pharmacy is seeking an experienced In vivo Research Specialist. In collaboration with senior research faculty and personnel, this position will contribute and/or lead research on one or more research projects, serving as an expert in animal models of efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of proteins and peptides formulated to target specific biological disorders. Experience is required in designing and maintaining animal protocols to ensure compliance with the U of M's Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM). The candidate will also facilitate and train laboratory personnel in conducting animal studies. A critical component of this position entails serving as the primary point of contact with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), overseeing compliance related to: laboratory safety; chemical hygiene plan, radiation safety certification, and biological safety certification for the PI. In addition, said candidate will serve as the Biointerfaces Institute (BI)'s Safety Manager/EHS Liaison for all 37 primary investigators to conduct a program for EHS compliance and promote a culture of laboratory safety.
This role offers a unique opportunity to advance high-impact translational research at the intersection of drug delivery and disease modeling. The selected candidate will play a central role in supporting the lab's scientific mission by ensuring rigorous in vivo research execution, regulatory compliance, and collaborative engagement across multidisciplinary teams. This position is key to maintaining operational excellence while driving discovery through innovative preclinical research.
Responsibilities*
20% - Conduct research - Facilitate research projects in partial fulfillment of aims specified in acquired grants or as directed by the PI for grant applications and/or scientific journal submissions. Oversee co-researchers in developing study designs capable of capturing statistically significant variances across positive and/or negative control groups versus test formulation groups that are specific to study requirements. Collaborate with other researchers on long-range project planning, contributing as subject-matter expert in specialized research area. Design, develop and maintain technologies, instrumentation, theoretical models, research methods, equipment, or other vehicles for data collection and analysis. Investigate, improve and apply new procedures, techniques or applications of technology, and integrate new findings in field of study. Train lab users on equipment operation and laboratory techniques, explains and demonstrates technology and equipment capabilities, operations, limitations, and outcomes.
15% - Administrative and Financial Oversight - Responsible for laboratory management, administrative, financial, personnel and planning aspects of projects. Serve as the primary contact for annual space assignments of personnel and laboratory bench spaces. Monitor the integrity of data collection and use of protocols and procedures. Review and critique reports and analysis of other researchers, conduct ongoing, periodic and final analyses of data using specialized techniques and programming, and oversee data collection and instruments as required. Procurements of supplies and instruments with diligence to sound stewardship on the use of funds. Maintenance, arrangements for calibration, and repairs of common wet bench scientific equipment. Orientation of new laboratory personnel for safety and etiquette. Act as a liaison with other departments, divisions, or organizations.
5% - Maintain Animal Protocols - Serve as lead editor for all associated animal protocols, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Assure all research aspects are correctly documented in protocols, all lab pertinent lab personnel are listed on the protocols and serve as the primary point of contact for adverse events.
20% - Conduct in vivo studies - Perform and provide oversight of all in vivo studies and provide hands on assistance (such as blood collection and common injection techniques (iv, ip, sc) on rodent animal models) as needed to ensure success of studies with a goal to minimize repetition of studies.
5% - Serve as Laboratory Safety Manager - Provide safety orientation for onboarding laboratory personnel and checkout of outgoing laboratory personnel. Maintain compliance of Chemical Hygiene Plan, Level 2 Biological Certification, and Radiation Safety Certifications. Serve as the point of contact for EHS annual inspections.
5% - Presentations and written scientific materials - Present research findings in oral presentation and/or provide constructive review of co-researcher's presentations and scientific manuscripts. Write progress reports. Write and collaborate with other researchers on manuscripts, abstracts and other publications of research findings.
30% - Serve as Biointerfaces Institute (BI) Safety Manager and EHS Liaison (Reports to BI Managing Director) - Maintain and oversee the comprehensive safety program for the BI. Provide expert advice and guidance on risk assessment and hazard mitigation strategies. Present safety updates and initiatives at quarterly BI Lab Safety Manager meetings. Attend and participate in all annual Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) laboratory inspections at BI. Lead BI's annual lab clean-up event. Facilitate safety onboarding and exiting processes for BI core faculty. Serve as the primary point of contact for special safety concerns and issues. Promote a "Culture of Safety" as well as sustainability among all BI core faculty and associated personnel within the University of Michigan's safety framework. Perform other safety-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by BI.
Required Qualifications*
- Master's or Doctorate in a relevant field, or a Bachelor's with equivalent experience.
- At least 5 years of laboratory experience, including supervisory and financial management exposure.
- Demonstrated hands-on and training experience with in vivo studies and good laboratory practices (GLP).
- Strong organizational, record-keeping, and communication skills.
Desired Qualifications*
- Advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) with 15 years of laboratory experience.
- Extensive knowledge of protein, peptide, PLGA, liposomes, and nanoparticle formulations.
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
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.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.