Staff Scientist

Department

PME H Chen Lab

About the Department

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME; https://pme.uchicago.edu/) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary

The Chen Lab at the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering is looking for a highly motivated Staff Scientist to work closely with faculty and researchers at the University of Chicago. The successful candidate will play a key role in characterizing tissue engineering and stem cell biology by working with the Chen Lab and in collaboration with researchers and clinicians at the University of Chicago and beyond. Emphasis will be to (i) understand how cancers initiate and progress using various stages of human cells derived from pluripotent or adult stem cells, and design strategies to diagnose, categorize, and treat the diseases more effectively; (ii) maintain, upgrade, and train users on existing pipelines in the lab; and (iii) develop new pipelines as needed.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates and promotes advanced technical/scientific research projects, including simulations and data analysis. Recognizes the need for innovation and develops or incorporates advances in research concepts to help disseminate results.
• Develops, applies, documents, and maintains computational tools, both for use and to support analysis by biologist colleagues without formal computational training. Critically evaluates computational solutions.
• Develops customized computational solutions supporting new kinds of assays and experiments. Understands the analytical needs of new experiments, working closely with wet-lab experimental biologists.
• Implements and optimizes successful algorithms and methods to be shared for use by the broader community.
• Develops figures and reports that provide transparency into the data quality and characteristics, and automates the production of such reports as routine components of computational analysis pipelines.
• Reports data to supervisor and team, attends team meetings to share results, plans projects and experiments, and ensures that projects support current team goals.
• Maintains and organizes computational infrastructure and resources.
• Contributes to the generation of protocols, publications, and intellectual property.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Trains new laboratory personnel.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Doctoral degree in biology, immunology, chemistry, or related field.

Experience:

• Significant work experience after the doctorate; postdoc experience.
• Possess experience in a research laboratory, preferably in an independent project.
• Conducting wet or dry lab work in a research laboratory, preferably in an independent project.
• Practical experience in data analysis, preferably in an independent project in an academic research laboratory setting.
• Background in statistics and machine learning.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Basic knowledge of biology or immunology is preferred. An inclination to acquire such knowledge is required.
• Knowledge of SLURM or other job scheduler, and/or bioinformatics tools preferred.
• Fluency in Unix, standard bioinformatics tools (Python, R, or equivalent), and a programming language (C/C++, Java) required.
• Strong computer skills, including calendaring, document management (e.g., Dropbox, Box, etc.), word processing, database management, and spreadsheet skills.
• Knowledge of statistical/analytical software.
• Advanced knowledge of computer programming and coding languages.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent communication skills to interact professionally with all levels of staff and external contacts in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Problem-solving, organization and coordination skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills and handle multiple, concurrent tasks within deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Prioritize urgent tasks while ensuring established deadlines are met.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in workflow and procedures.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$70,000.00 - $80,000.00

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

Yes

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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