Interested applicants should provide a cover letter detailing their specific interest in the position, CV, and contact information for three references.
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan seeks a full-time Laboratory Research Specialist to manage the Geomicrobiology Laboratory and the Great Lakes Center for Freshwaters and Human Health. The successful candidate will work with a team of graduate students, postdocs, and staff to train and mentor students and conduct laboratory and field research on microbiomes, with a focus on harmful cyanobacterial blooms in the Great Lakes. The position requires regular, onsite presence in the laboratory to support research operations and train users.
Senior:
Research Leadership & Experimentation
- Lead, develop, design, and conduct research on multiple projects, including both wet lab and
- field work in the Dick lab.
- Independently create new methods and work to improve existing laboratory and research techniques.
- Collect and conduct samples for research and data analysis.
- Prepare research reports and write content for final submission into peer-reviewed journals.
- Present research work at conferences.
- Collect data and contribute to the preparation of research reports and peer-review papers.
Lab Operations & Safety
- Provide oversight for the day-to-day operation of the laboratory.
- Train users and staff on laboratory techniques, equipment usage, and protocol standards.
- Maintain laboratory records and ensure compliance with protocol standards.
- Serve as back-up supervisor when the Principal Investigator (PI) is unavailable in the lab.
- Maintain laboratory safety by enforcing protocols, procedures, and university/departmental policies.
Supervision & Training
- Supervise Research Fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students.
- Coach and mentor staff and students on various research techniques.
- Train all staff in the lab.
Collaboration & Communication
- Interact and collaborate with research partners, both internally and externally.
- Present research findings at conferences.
- Data Management & Reporting
- Enter data into databases; design and update datasets as needed.
- Develop and implement data management protocols.
Intermediate:
Geomicrobiology Lab Research
- Develop, design, and conduct research in the Geomicrobiology Lab.
- Create new methodologies and independently improve existing methods.
- Collect samples and data for research reports and peer-reviewed papers.
- Prepare reports and write content for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
- Conduct both wet lab and field work.
Laboratory Operations & Supervision
- Oversee daily operation of the laboratory.
- Train users on laboratory techniques and equipment usage.
- Supervise undergraduate students, providing coaching and mentoring on research techniques.
- Maintain laboratory cultures, records, and protocols.
- Coordinate laboratory usage, sample management, and supply ordering/inventory.
Safety and Compliance
- Enforce laboratory safety protocols and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with departmental and University policies and procedures.
Collaboration, Outreach, & Web Management
- Coordinate collaborative research, outreach, and engagement at the Great Lakes Center for
- Freshwaters and Human Health.
- Design and update websites using graphical web-based software.
- Plan and coordinate monthly and annual meetings.
- Participate in and coordinate public outreach and engagement with stakeholders.
- Assist in the preparation of reports.
Data Management
- Manage research data, including entry into databases.
- Design and update datasets.
- Develop and implement data management protocols.
Senior:
- Master's degree in a recognized field of science or learning directly related to laboratory duties
- 5-6 years of relevant laboratory or research experience
- Supervisory experience
- Financial management experience
- Experience in a laboratory setting with all of the following:
- Managing budgets or financial resources
- Lab management
- Preparation of microbiological media and reagents, sterile technique, cultivation of bacteria
- Chemical and molecular methods such as gel electrophoresis, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, polymerase chain reaction, and extraction and quantification of nucleic acids.
- Planning and executing field work with minimal supervision, including coordination and collection of environmental water samples on research vessels on the Great Lakes
Intermediate:
- BS/BA degree plus 4-5 years related experience in a natural science discipline such as microbiology, chemistry, earth science, or environmental sciences.
- Experience in a laboratory setting with experience in two or more of the following:
- lab management
- preparation of microbiological media and reagents, sterile technique, cultivation of bacteria
- chemical and molecular methods such as gel electrophoresis, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, polymerase chain reaction, and extraction and quantification of nucleic acids.
- planning and executing field work with minimal supervision, including coordination and
- collection of environmental water samples on research vessels on the Great Lakes
Senior:
