Department
BSD DFI - Biobank
About the Department
Job Summary
Responsibilities
Trains and mentors new junior laboratory staff to ensure effective planning and execution; contributes to the development of laboratory policies, procedures, and methods for experimentation; and supports risk assessment and management activities.
Contributes to the development and validation of novel laboratory research methods, including defined gut microbiome mediums, bacterial growth kinetics, bioreactor optimization, and metabolomic and metagenomic characterization of commensal bacterial strains.
Supports the creation of new analytical approaches for live biotherapeutic products, including MALDI-TOF analyses of multi-species consortia.
Ensures adherence to institutional and regulatory policies and procedures.
Maintains laboratory equipment, such as anaerobic chambers, microbial plate readers, bioreactors, MALDI-TOF instruments, and microscopes.
Conducts gnotobiotic and SPF mouse experiments, including oral gavage, intravenous injections, dissections, and fecal collection.
Leads organization and management of the symbiotic strain bank freezer inventory and fulfills commensal bacterial strain requests for internal and external stakeholders, including receipt and dispatch of biological shipments.
Documents, compiles, and helps interpret experimental research data; assists in preparing presentations, SOPs and scientific reports based on laboratory findings.
Handles ordering and procurement of laboratory supplies.
Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
Takes responsibility for the following laboratory duties: recognizing abnormal results and varying conditions or procedures to correct problems; setting up and performing experiments. Analyze the meaning, significance, causes, and effects of the subject.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
Experience with Windows-based operating systems and common software programs such as Microsoft Office suite and electronic lab notebooks (e.g. eLab).
Experience cultivating, characterizing, and preserving anaerobic microorganisms.
Experience working with and maintaining anaerobic chambers and glove boxes.
Experience in bacterial kinetics, bioreactor operation, microscopy, MALDI-TOF, and gnotobiotic mouse models.
Experience working with mice.
Familiarity with bioinformatics tools (e.g. R-script).
Preferred Competencies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
Exceptional multi-tasking and time-management skills.
Exceptional record keeping, organizational skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
Mature, reliable, and professional demeanor.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Adaptable to changing working situations and assignments.
Strong desire to learn.
Ability to train others.
Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.
Working Conditions
Physically capable of moving, connecting, and disconnecting gas cylinders.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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