How to Apply
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from 26 March 2024 until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a current CV, including contact information for three professional references. In your cover letter, please address how you meet each of the required and, where applicable, the preferred qualifications. Please contact Dr. Kelly Speer ([email protected]) for any application inquiries.
Summary
The Speer Lab in the University of Michigan Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is seeking a Research Laboratory Specialist to facilitate research in a new Ancient DNA laboratory, including processing samples for the Speer Lab, developing procedures, training users of the space, and managing the Ancient DNA Lab. This lab aims to support a variety of research on campus in fields ranging from human genetics to biodiversity conservation, with a special emphasis on studying pathogens and parasites associated with natural history specimens catalogued in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology and Herbarium. We are especially interested in candidates who will collaboratively contribute to the Ancient DNA lab's growth and evolution through a limited independent research program.
The Research Laboratory Specialist will participate in and/or lead data collection efforts, facilitate day-to-day operations of the Ancient DNA Lab, and collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to enable training and lab access and/or to complete sample processing. Additionally, there will be opportunities for the Research Laboratory Specialist to consult on construction plans and future development of the lab.
The University of Michigan values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within our organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, neurodiverse, a woman, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply.
This position will be available starting 15 April 2024.
Responsibilities*
- Process samples for the Michigan Pathogen Biorepository and the Speer Lab
- Use, maintenance, and day-to-day care of the lab, including upkeep and organization of the lab, lab equipment maintenance, reagent and consumables maintenance, ordering materials, maintenance of lab and freezer inventory
- Provide documentation for the lab, including development of lab policies and standard operating procedures, documentation of lab use and of training received by users
- Train, supervise, and support users of the lab, including documenting lab usage and monitoring adherence to lab policies and practices, and consulting on research protocol development and troubleshooting
- Maintain compliance with necessary biosafety standards as directed by the Research Laboratory Specialist who oversees the Biodiversity Lab and Research Museum Centers Lab
- Maintain Ancient Lab website, which includes dissemination of announcements regarding lab-related research, and responding to requests for information from users and prospective users
- Stay current with the research field, including trends and techniques in aDNA/aRNA and next-generation sequencing, and museum collection-based DNA/RNA research
Required Qualifications*
- A bachelor's degree in genomics, biology, microbiology, virology, parasitology, or related fields, and 4-5 years of related experience
- Previous experience in molecular genetics and next-generation sequencing
Desired Qualifications*
- At least 1 year of experience working in an Ancient DNA lab
- Experience working in a BSL-2 lab (or higher)
- Experience working in natural history collections
- Experience as a laboratory manager or laboratory technician or with training and mentoring others in molecular genetics lab work
- Knowledge of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing genomic or transcriptomic data
- Experience writing or submitting grants or scientific publications
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion work
- Supervisory and financial management experience
Additional Information
This is a limited-term full-time position that is currently funded for 31 months (2.6 years), with the goal of extended this duration through external funding and re-charge fees for sample processing. Starting annual salary for this position is $50,000-$64,000, based on previous experience, and includes excellent benefits (https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness). This position reports to Dr. Kelly Speer. The primary location for this job is at the state-of-the-art Research Museums Center (RMC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan (https://lsa.umich.edu/rmc). The RMC is the home of the UMMZ (https://lsa.umich.edu /rmc/zoology.html) and MICH collections (https://lsa.umich.edu/rmc/herbarium.html), as well as the collections housed in the Museums of Anthropological Archaeology and Paleontology. Some offsite and international travel may be required.
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
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.
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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.