Research Lab Specialist Assoc

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 Department of Pediatric Endocrinology is accepting applications for a research support position in Dr. Durga Singer's lab. The Singer Lab studies obesity and metabolic disease using mouse models, cell-based approaches, and human studies. This position will function as a Lab Manager for the lab and research team. The Lab Manager manages daily laboratory operations, maintaining the organizational systems, resources, and research infrastructure that support the lab. This is a highly collaborative team, and this position works closely with the PI, research faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and research staff assisting as necessary with lab experiments and mentoring.

Responsibilities*

The Research Lab Specialist Associate candidate will be expected to perform the following critical functions and techniques:

• Manage day-to-day laboratory operations, identify operational needs, and develop practical systems and procedures. Coordinate purchasing, receiving, vendor communication, and shared supply, reagent, chemical, and sample inventories
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, calibration, repairs, replacement, freezer monitoring, and facilities needs; maintain shared resource calendars, storage systems, and operational documentation
• Have basic responsibilities including general laboratory duties (dishwashing, preparing solutions, ordering)
• Coordinate animal-use and biosafety protocol renewals and amendments, training records, safety documentation, inspections, and required follow-up with the PI and University offices
• Maintain animal colony records and coordinate mouse orders, transfers, housing, diet supplies, and animal-health communications with the Technician and scientific project leads
• Coordinate personnel onboarding and offboarding, access, laboratory orientation, and required training; maintain onboarding materials and support students in coordination with their scientific mentors
• Provide hands-on research support and technical coverage as needed, consistent with training and laboratory priorities
• Coordinate laboratory meetings, retreats, and events and maintain clear communication about laboratory operations, procedures, and upcoming needs
• Maintain shared protocols and standards for organized research records, data, and sample tracking; contribute operational documentation, methods, and data summaries to manuscripts and grants as assigned
• Perform laboratory techniques as required: rodent handling, metabolic assays, genotyping, ELISA assay, PCR, qPCR, imaging and cell culture with appropriate data management from these research projects
  
  
  

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in biological/animal science, microbiology, health science or related field of study
• 3 years of related work experience
• Experience with animal-use or biosafety protocols, inspections, safety programs, electronic inventory systems, and equipment or freezer management
• Experience onboarding and training research personnel; familiarity with mouse research, metabolic assays, molecular methods, immunology assays (flow cytometry), cell culture, microscopy, or human specimen handling
• Strong organizational and communication skills, accurate record keeping, and ability to prioritize, solve problems, and work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to complete required training and comply with University research, safety, biosafety, and animal-care procedures
  
  
  

Desired Qualifications*

• Five or more years of lab experience
• Master's degree in biological/animal science, microbiology, health or related field of study preferred
• Demonstrated experience coordinating daily laboratory operations, including purchasing, inventory systems, equipment, or research-compliance activities
• Working knowledge of research laboratory methods and safety practices sufficient to coordinate resources, support personnel, and provide technical backup within areas of training
  
  
  

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.

Work Schedule

Schedule flexibility may be required for time-sensitive laboratory needs, including evening or weekend coverage and extended experimental days. Coverage is coordinated with the PI and laboratory team.

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 anytime 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.