As part of a team, the position’s primary purpose is the operation of the SOM Microscope Facility as a core facility that provides both access to equipment and any client services related to the equipment. Our equipment include the microscopes themselves, as well as preparatory equipment for microscope samples and software analysis tools and workstations. Services include training and supervising client users on equipment, as well as advising and troubleshooting experiments. Advanced technical knowledge and broad research experience are required to judge the best approaches for each client’s scientific goals in their project. Direct one-on-one communications with clients must glean relevant information and advise clients on choice of equipment and experimental strategies, whether providing the work as a service or training the client to use the equipment and software themselves to attain their scientific goals. Providing accurate quotes for project costs is expected, as are accurate billing practices. Ability to maintain, adjust and troubleshoot specialized equipment is critical for completing client projects, whether by staff or by clients themselves.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, design and manage substantial research projects, and coordinate their own objectives.
• Perform sophisticated data analysis utilizing an extensive knowledge base and experience with varied methods. In a clinical laboratory, perform and develop clinical validation protocols.
• Act as a consultant to refine or adapt methodologies to fit research objectives.
• Collaborate in the development of new technologies, protocols, and uses of equipment.
• Contribute original thoughts, hypotheses, and analysis to write reports, abstracts, and manuscripts.
• Function scientifically in the laboratory comparably to a post-doctoral fellow.
• Independently perform assays specific to the laboratory interests.
• May provide oversight and direction to staff, including interviews, recommendations for hiring and evaluation of performance.
• Enhance problem solving through interactions and discussions with collaborators or senior researchers at meetings and/or professional presentations.
• Make decisions regarding laboratory projects that may require assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction.
• Consider resources and laboratory priorities when making decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

For fluorescence/confocal and electron microscopy, including specimen prep for almost all microscope modalities

• Advise clients on appropriateness of experimental techniques for scientific goals.
• Prepare specimens as requested by client users; consult/confirm anatomical structures with client users during the progress of projects.
• Collect images from appropriate microscopes, processing images as requested.
• Instruct/advise inexperienced investigators on relevant equipment and techniques to achieve both generic and specialized scientific goals.
• Expert on multiple advanced microscope modalities.

Shared responsibility image processing and software analysis

• Advise clients on appropriateness of software tools for scientific goals.
• Shared responsibility for all (>15) microscopes and their support equipment
• Maintain microscopes and computers, troubleshooting or calling service as needed.
• Secondary contact for service calls on most equipment when they malfunction; duties as primary contact will be assigned based on candidate’s experiences and needs of the team.
• Maintain supplies/consumables at microscope stations, including liquid nitrogen supplies.
• Maintain/adjust support equipment, including air compressors, and dehumidifiers.

Shared responsibility for assisting users on these microscopes

• Directly assist or train/certify users on equipment; schedule training/certifying sessions; prepare and supply written training materials.
• Learn new techniques as required (e.g. attend training seminars, read manuals, contact vendor).
• Troubleshoot specimen, equipment and/or computer problems.
• Be available to assist users or potential customers as needed via phone or in person.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Data Management and Analysis - Developing
• Laboratory Techniques and Assays - Developing
• Protocol Development and Optimization - Developing
• Research Design - Developing
• Scientific Writing - Developing
• Stakeholder Engagement - Developing
• Strategic Planning - Developing

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field
• Four years of experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.

• Master's Degree with related graduate research.

Classified Title: Sr. Research Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MC
Starting Salary Range: $48,000 - $84,100 Annually ($66,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am05pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM Cell Bio Cell Biology
Personnel area: School of Medicine