Research Lab Specialist Associate

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.

Responsibilities*

Biomedical data integration, database development, and computational research:

• Integrate clinical, laboratory, imaging, genetic, biospecimen, and multi-omics data generated across multiple research studies into a centralized and well-organized research data environment.
• Develop and maintain standardized approaches for data organization, annotation, quality control, and documentation.
• Work with the Principal Investigator, bioinformatics specialists, data scientists, statisticians, and institutional core facilities to develop computational and artificial intelligence-assisted approaches for identifying novel biological patterns, disease subtypes, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.
• Prepare deidentified or appropriately coded datasets for statistical, bioinformatic, and machine learning analyses.
• Assist with interpretation of research findings in the context of human physiology, metabolic disease, incretin biology, bariatric surgery, and hormonal regulation.

Biorepository management and specimen-data coordination:

• Maintain and organize the laboratory biorepository, including accurate coding, tracking, inventory management, quality assurance, and timely retrieval of research specimens.
• Ensure that specimens are linked accurately to the appropriate research protocol and coded research data.

Laboratory Research Activities:

• Process human blood and other biospecimens according to approved protocols.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and document specimen-processing procedures
• Prepare specimens for genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, immunologic, and other downstream analyses.
• Work with laboratory personnel and institutional core facilities to optimize specimen-processing and analytical workflows.

Translational Research and Collaborative Development:

• Assist in identifying research questions that connect clinical observations with biospecimen, imaging, genetic, and molecular data.
• Participate in multidisciplinary research meetings and contribute to study design, data review, interpretation, and project planning.

Required Qualifications*

• At least one year of research experience involving diabetes, obesity, endocrinology, bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal physiology, or a related area of metabolic research.
• Strong computer skills and demonstrated ability to organize complex biomedical information.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and scientific communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with clinicians, laboratory investigators, research coordinators, data scientists, trainees, and institutional core facilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning new laboratory, computational, and analytical methods.

Desired Qualifications*

• Prior research experience in lipodystrophy or other rare metabolic diseases.
• Experience working with human-subjects research data, clinical phenotyping, or biospecimens.
• Experience with clinical and multidimensional biomedical data integration.
• Familiarity with at least one (R, Python, SQL), REDCap, electronic research databases, or related computational tools.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence, machine learning, or pattern-recognition approaches in biomedical research.

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.

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.

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.