Research Coordinator

The Research Coordinator will be responsible for the administrative and operational leadership of a preclinical neuroscience research laboratory. This includes overseeing day-to-day laboratory functions, maintaining regulatory compliance, managing laboratory resources and personnel, and contributing directly to research activities. The laboratory manager works in close collaboration with the principal investigator and other laboratory staff to ensure the smooth, efficient, and compliant operation of the laboratory in pursuit of its scientific mission.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities:

Administrative and Regulatory Duties (Core)

• Oversee and coordinate all day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the laboratory, including scheduling, supply management, equipment maintenance, and space organization.

• Manage the laboratory animal colony in coordination with the principal investigator and veterinary staff, including tracking colony composition and breeding, submitting animal census reports, and ensuring animal welfare standards are consistently upheld.

• Serve as the primary laboratory liaison to regulatory and compliance bodies, including the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Responsibilities include preparing and submitting new IACUC protocols and amendments, managing annual renewals, coordinating responses to inspections and audits, and ensuring that all laboratory personnel are current on required training and certifications.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of controlled substances, hazardous materials, and biological agents in accordance with institutional and federal regulations.

• Manage laboratory purchasing and inventory, including reagents, consumables, surgical supplies, and equipment. Develop and maintain vendor relationships and monitor laboratory expenditures against budget.

• Coordinate equipment qualification, calibration, and preventive maintenance schedules; liaise with facilities and service providers to resolve equipment issues in a timely manner.

• Support hiring and onboarding of new laboratory personnel in coordination with the Department of Human Resources, including participating in candidate screening, interviews, and new employee orientation.

• Maintain laboratory safety compliance, including chemical hygiene plans, biosafety protocols, and emergency preparedness procedures; ensure all personnel complete required safety training.

• Participate in internal and external meetings as needed, including departmental, institutional, and collaborative research meetings.

Laboratory Duties (Preferred)

• Provide hands-on training and mentorship to new laboratory personnel, including graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and staff scientists, in laboratory techniques, standard operating procedures, and safety protocols.

• Perform or assist with rodent stereotaxic surgeries, including viral vector injections, fiber optic cannula implantations, and other cranial procedures, in support of ongoing neuroscience research projects.

• Assist with the design, execution, and troubleshooting of behavioral experiments, including rodent models relevant to substance use disorders (e.g., voluntary drinking paradigms, operant self-administration, conditioned place preference).

• Perform or assist with standard molecular, histological, and electrophysiological techniques as needed to support laboratory research activities.

• Contribute to data collection, organization, and quality control for ongoing experiments, maintaining accurate and well-documented laboratory notebooks and electronic records.

Grant and Manuscript Support (Ideal)

• Assist the principal investigator with the preparation of NIH progress reports (RPPRs) and other sponsor-required reporting, including compiling research accomplishments, personnel updates, and budgetary information.

• Contribute to the preparation of new grant applications and renewals, including assembling supporting documentation, organizing preliminary data, and providing editorial review of scientific narratives.

• Assist with manuscript preparation, including figure organization, reference management, and submission logistics.

• Monitor grant timelines and deliverables and help coordinate laboratory activities to align with funded project milestones.

• Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.

• A minimum of two years of hands-on experience in a preclinical neuroscience or biomedical research laboratory is preferred, with at least one year of experience in laboratory administration, regulatory compliance, or equivalent.

• Experience with rodent handling and animal colony management.

• Familiarity with IACUC protocols and EHS regulations is strongly preferred.

• Experience with stereotaxic surgery, behavioral testing, or viral vector techniques is desirable.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran