Research Lab Specialist Senior

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 Beamish Lab in the Internal Medicine Department/Division of Nephrology is seeking a Research Specialist to contribute to an NIH-funded research project studying the molecular control of kidney epithelial cell regeneration.

Kidney injury affects up to 20% of hospital admissions, yet there are no available treatments. In the most severe forms of injury, epithelial cells in the kidney are damaged. While surviving cells can regenerate to restore kidney function, the extent of recovery is inconsistent between patients. The focus of our primary funded research project is to clarify the underlying mechanisms that control kidney epithelial regeneration. These studies will reveal new targets for the treatment of this common condition.

More broadly, our lab studies many aspects of kidney pathophysiology, including podocyte biology, metabolism, and mechanisms of acute kidney injury. We also develop novel tools and techniques to study these topics. Our long-term goals are to discover new ways to promote recovery after kidney injury, harness the regenerative potential of kidney epithelia to develop alternatives to dialysis, and prevent progression of kidney disease to kidney failure. We offer a fun and dynamic lab environment with many projects at all stages of development.

The PI is a nephrologist and physician-scientist at Michigan Medicine and the Ann Arbor VA with extensive training in kidney pathophysiology, mouse models of kidney disease, and engineered culture systems.

A cover letter outlining how your experience meets the required position qualifications is mandatory for consideration during the application review process. A CV is also required.

The duties of this position require some effort on nights, weekends, and holidays. This effort will be limited to unavoidable, time-sensitive work only.


Responsibilities*

• Develop, design, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze experiments independently. This work will require researching and troubleshooting new techniques, validating findings with orthogonal methodologies, and linking multiple experiments to robustly test hypotheses. The successful candidate will meet regularly with the PI to discuss results and prioritize next steps but must be able to function independently.
• Oversee maintenance of a large mouse colony, including breeding, genotyping, administering medications, assisting with mouse surgical procedures, performing post-operative monitoring, collecting samples, and analyzing results, all with assistance of a lab technician
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations (ordering, cleaning, maintenance, etc) with assistance from lab technicians
• Maintain accurate, organized, and detailed records and protocols on cloud storage that can be accessed and utilized by the PI and research team
• Assist with abstract, manuscript, and grant preparation
• Assist with supervision and training of junior lab personnel
• Prepare and update regulatory protocols (animal protocols, IRB, IBC, EHS, etc)

Required Qualifications*

• Minimum Bachelors degree or higher in a biological science with 5 years of laboratory bench experience and a strong track record of productivity.
• Must be able to perform basic molecular and cellular biology techniques without supervision. Examples include isolation of DNA, RNA, and protein from tissue and cultured samples, PCR, Western blot, immunostaining of tissue sections and cell preparations, cell culture.
• Must be experienced working with laboratory mice. Must be able to perform ear-tagging, ear punch/cut biopsy, and intraperitoneal injections independently. Must be willing and able to learn to assist with surgical procedures, post-operative monitoring, and sample collection.
• Must work in an environment with exposure to animals, animal dander, animal byproducts, and bedding materials.
• Physical requirements: ability to reach by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction; finger dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm; ability to see and hear within normal parameters, lift, carry, move supplies, computers, glassware, etc: ability to move about workspace, ability to perform delicate microdissection and microsurgeries.

Desired Qualifications*

• Masters or doctoral degree with 5+ years of lab experience and a strong record of productivity demonstrated through research publications is strongly preferred.

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 employment opportunity employer.


Job Detail

Job Opening ID

278578

Working Title

Research Lab Specialist Senior

Job Title

Research Lab Specialist Senior

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite


Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Medical School

Department

MM Int Med-Nephrology

Posting Begin/End Date

6/08/2026 - 6/15/2026

Career Interest

Research