Research Lab Specialist Inter

Who We Are At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence. Job Summary Become a key contributor to groundbreaking mobility and wearable robotics research by joining the Locomotor Control Systems Laboratory (Locolab) as a Research Laboratory Specialist. In this pivotal role, you will report directly to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Robert Gregg, and bridge laboratory administration with active clinical research to advance the design, control, and testing of robotic prostheses and exoskeletons. In this role, you will lead proactive participant recruitment and study execution for clinical trials, oversee laboratory equipment and infrastructure, and manage crucial regulatory compliance including IRB and EHS protocols. Beyond daily operations, you will serve as a central organizational anchor and mentor within the lab-training student researchers on equipment usage, streamlining project workflows, and supporting grant proposals and publication efforts. This position offers a dynamic opportunity for an organized, proactive professional looking to drive impactful human-subjects research in a collaborative, cutting‑edge engineering environment. Responsibilities 25% Laboratory Management, Compliance, & IT Infrastructure Regulatory Oversight: Manage, draft, and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols. Registry Maintenance: Oversee and update clinicaltrials.gov study registrations. Safety Compliance: Conduct regular Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) self-inspections to maintain laboratory safety standards. Equipment & Vendor Relations: Manage the upkeep and functioning of core data acquisition equipment; liaise with equipment manufacturers for preventative maintenance, calibration, software updates, and repairs. SOP Development: Draft and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clinical procedures and core equipment usage. IT & Asset Management: Oversee and manage laboratory computer and network assets, including the PC fleet, lab network drive, lab Dropbox, and lab DataDen archive. Inventory Control: Oversee the organization and procurement of shared laboratory supplies. 50% Clinical Trial Coordination & Research Support Participant Recruitment: Develop and execute proactive, creative strategies to successfully recruit and screen study participants. Study Execution: Administer and guide participants through required study procedures in accordance with clinical protocols. Data Management: Perform data post-processing, organization, and analysis following data collection. Publication Support: Assist in drafting, editing, and formatting manuscripts for related clinical studies. 25% Administrative Operations & Mentorship Project Management: Assist the PI in managing project tasks, milestones, and timelines to keep research goals on track; proactively gather necessary task inputs in alignment with the PI's preferred level of project specificity. Grant Support: Assist in the preparation, formatting, and submission of grant proposals. Onboarding & Offboarding: Manage logistics for new and departing lab members, including keycard access setup, verifying mandatory EHS/IRB training compliance, and coordinating final data handoffs. Administrative Tracking: Monitor high-level administrative workflows (e.g., regulatory reports, renewals, continuing reviews) and provide timely reminders to the PI to ensure deadlines are met. Student Training & Mentorship: Train students on the responsible, safe, and effective use of lab equipment while maintaining an approachable, supportive presence to guide them through their individual research projects. Required Qualifications Education and Experience: Master's degree and 4 to 5 years related experience. Supervisory experience preferred. Employees in this classification are required to have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a recognized field of science or learning which is directly related to the duties of the position. Research Skills: Coursework or hands-on experience using data acquisition equipment, sensors, or movement/biomechanics measurement tools. Familiarity with prosthetics and orthotics. Technical Skills: Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and C coding; signal processing and filtering; CAD software for mechanical design and 3D printing; AI tools including Claude, Codex, or Cursor. Human Subjects & Safety: Basic understanding of human subjects research protocols, basic lab safety guidelines, and data confidentiality standards. Operational & IT Skills: Familiarity with basic IT asset care, file management systems, and shared storage (e.g., cloud storage, network drives). Communication & Organization: Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to maintain open communication, ask targeted clarifying questions, and work constructively with student researchers and leadership. Strong writing skills. Desired Qualifications Clinical Research & Compliance: Direct experience drafting or managing IRB protocols, updating registries, using clinical data tools (e.g., REDCap), or executing proactive participant recruitment and screening strategies. Technical Writing: Prior experience assisting with scientific manuscript drafting, editing, formatting, or supporting grant proposal preparation. Documentation & SOPs: Experience drafting, maintaining, or enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety compliance documentation (e.g., EHS self-inspections). Equipment & Vendor Operations: Experience training students on complex lab equipment (eg, Vicon, Delsys, Bertec, AMTI, Kistler) and liaising with equipment vendors for maintenance, calibration, and software updates. Project Management: Demonstrated ability to track project milestones, manage timelines, and provide well-spaced administrative reminders to leadership. 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. Additional Information This is a two-year, term-limited position with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon continued funding. Background Screening The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr