Research Laboratory Specialist, Dick Lab

Laboratory Research Specialist

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

Senior:

• BS/BA degree in a recognized field of science or learning directly related to laboratory duties
• 5-6 years of relevant laboratory or research 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

Desired Qualifications

Senior:

• Master's degree or Doctorate (PhD, MD, etc.) in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Demonstrated experience with scholarly publication and presentation at scientific meetings or conferences.
• Experience with grant writing or securing external research funding.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Experience mentoring junior staff, students, or trainees.
• Experience with design and maintenance of websites
• Experience with data management
• Experience with bioinformatic analysis of DNA sequence data such as 16S rRNA gene libraries and random shotgun metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data; familiarity with the unix command line interface and shell scripts, and R or Python
• Experience with research engagement and/or outreach

Intermediate:

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant scientific field
• Supervisory and financial management experience
• Experience with design and maintenance of websites
• Experience with data management
• Experience with bioinformatic analysis of DNA sequence data such as 16S rRNA gene libraries and random shotgun metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data; familiarity with the unix command line interface and shell scripts, and R or Python
• Experience with research engagement and/or outreach

Why Work at Michigan?

• We are so proud that the University of Michigan offers comprehensive benefits to support your wellness as you plan for a stable and secure future. To enhance a career filled with purpose and opportunity, other benefits include:
• Generous time off programs.
• Our retirement plan provides two-for-one matching contributions.
• Comprehensive options for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Tuition support, including the ability to take undergraduate courses in LSA at no cost.
• Meeting-free days and communication norms that help you to "unplug" from work.
• Access to deals, discounts, and attractions; see Uniquely Michigan for details.

While you will primarily work from our central campus in Ann Arbor, LSA offers flexible work options. To support work-life balance, LSA has an email policy that limits non-essential emails to weekday business hours. We invite you to take a look at LSA's mission, vision, and values.

Modes of Work

Position