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 laboratory is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Technician Associate to support ongoing studies in neurovascular biology, blood?brain barrier dysfunction, neuroinflammation, stroke, Alzheimer?s disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and related neurological disease models. The successful candidate will provide technical and organizational support for animal colony management, molecular biology, histology, immunostaining, tissue clearing, immunoassays, flow cytometry, and general laboratory operations.
The Research Technician Associate will work closely with the Principal Investigator, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and other laboratory staff to support experimental workflows, maintain high-quality research standards, and contribute to the successful execution of funded research projects.
Responsibilities*
The Research Technician Associate will be responsible for maintaining and organizing the laboratory animal colony, including mouse breeding, weaning, genotyping, record keeping, and coordination with animal care staff. The candidate will assist with monitoring animal health, maintaining breeding schemes, and ensuring compliance with approved animal protocols and institutional guidelines.
The candidate will perform molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction, PCR-based genotyping, gel electrophoresis, sample preparation, and basic data documentation. Additional responsibilities will include preparation and processing of tissue samples for histology, immunostaining, confocal microscopy, and tissue-clearing approaches.
The position will involve immunofluorescence staining of brain and vascular tissues, preparation of sections or cleared tissue samples, imaging support, and quantitative analysis of vascular, inflammatory, and blood?brain barrier-related markers. The technician will also assist with immunoassays, including ELISA, cytokine/protein arrays, Western blotting, and related biochemical assays.
The Research Technician Associate will support flow cytometry/FACS-based experiments, including tissue dissociation, preparation of single-cell suspensions, antibody staining, compensation controls, sample acquisition, and basic analysis under supervision. Experience with immune cell profiling, endothelial cell isolation, or neuroinflammation-related assays is preferred but not required.
The candidate will also assist with general laboratory maintenance, including reagent preparation, inventory management, ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, organizing samples, updating protocols, and ensuring proper laboratory safety and compliance documentation.
Required Qualifications*
A bachelor?s degree in biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, or a related biomedical science field is required. Prior laboratory experience is preferred. The successful candidate should have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
Experience with mouse colony management, PCR genotyping, immunostaining, microscopy, immunoassays, or flow cytometry is highly desirable. The candidate should be comfortable handling animals or willing to be trained in animal-related procedures. Strong record keeping, communication skills, and willingness to learn new techniques are essential.
Desired Qualifications*
Preferred experience includes mouse breeding and colony management, genotyping, brain tissue processing, cryosectioning or vibratome sectioning, immunofluorescence staining, tissue clearing, confocal imaging, ELISA or protein-based assays, FACS/flow cytometry, and basic data analysis using software such as ImageJ/Fiji, FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, Excel, or similar platforms.
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.
Additional Information
This position is ideal for an individual interested in gaining hands-on experience in translational neuroscience, vascular biology, neuroinflammation, and neurological disease research. The Research Technician Associate will receive training in specialized techniques and will contribute to projects focused on mechanisms of blood?brain barrier dysfunction and vascular injury in brain disease.
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 employment opportunity employer.