Laboratory Manager / Research Assistant II

About the role

The Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory in the Departments of Fisheries & Wildlife and Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation seeks a Laboratory Manager to lead an internationally recognized program focused on fish health and aquatic animal disease ecology research.

Responsibilities

• Schedules fish health inspections and other diagnostic submissions.
• Organizes laboratory staff schedules for necropsy, sample transportation, sample processing, diagnostic assay performance, etc.
• Oversees daily laboratory operational needs, including inventory and ordering of supplies.
• Oversees routine maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments and equipment to ensure proper functioning, accuracy, and compliance with written specifications.
• Instructs laboratory staff in correcting equipment malfunctions and approaches to troubleshooting.
• Acts as a resource/contact person to internal and external individuals regarding research projects, experiments, diagnostics, and health certifications.
• Compiles and summarizes results, participates in preparing reports.
• Collections and organizes records; develops and manages databases of laboratory clients, test results, cases, samples, reagents, and projects.
• Serves as a resource for external technicians and biologists collecting samples for health testing; provides health and testing reports.
• Plans and coordinates execution of laboratory priorities and logistics.
• Aids in interviewing, hiring, training, and reviewing the performance of students and support staff; approves hours for payroll.
• Sets and manages travel approvals and reimbursements for students and staff regarding lab related travel and expenses.
• Aids in implementing departmental and university operating policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant institutional and regulatory agency requirements/policies.
• Manages accurate financial records, balances account ledgers, invoices clients, and follows fiscal regulations for personnel and laboratory needs.
• Aids in preparation of manuscripts and materials for dissemination of laboratory findings.
• Designs and maintains life support systems for cool and cold water fish species utilized for in vivo experiments in compliance with IACUC requirements.
• Manages oversight of wet lab space housing research fish.
• Participates in field work, fish necropsies, and sample collection and processing for research or diagnostic purposes; performs and assists in oversight of experimental/diagnostic assays; records, analyzes, and interprets data to support research projects and laboratory diagnostics.

Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Natural Resources, Microbiology, Fisheries Biology, biological sciences or related science field; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in overseeing research projects and laboratory operations, operating and maintaining a variety of laboratory equipment, performing specialized and difficult analytical and research techniques, and designing research experiments in an area related to research being performed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in microbiology, fisheries biology, natural Resources, veterinary sciences, biological sciences or a related field; 1-2 years of laboratory experience in microbiology and/or laboratory diagnostics is preferred; experience with creation and maintenance of aquatic animal housing systems.
• Operational experience managing budgets, inventory, and laboratory supply chains.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a proven track record of working well with others to accomplish desired goals and objectives.
• A self-starter who pays attention to detail and is capable of overseeing multiple simultaneous tasks and objectives.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements: Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Natural Resources, Microbiology, Fisheries Biology, biological sciences or related science field; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in overseeing research projects and laboratory operations, operating and maintaining a variety of laboratory equipment, performing specialized and difficult analytical and research techniques, and designing research experiments in an area related to research being performed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Desired qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher in microbiology, fisheries biology, natural Resources, veterinary sciences, biological sciences or a related field; 1-2 years of laboratory experience in microbiology and/or laboratory diagnostics is preferred; experience with creation and maintenance of aquatic animal housing systems.

Benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Pay

The position is budgeted at an annual salary of $57,500, with the final salary commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Typical working hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and will vary to include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays as needed (i.e., is subject to call back in the case of laboratory need and/or in urgent response situations).

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Tom Loch (lochthom@msu.edu), Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources & Dept. of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

About the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory

Michigan State University is at the forefront of aquatic animal health with a regional effort devoted to the research of infectious and noninfectious diseases of aquatic animals, particularly those affecting fish of the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin. Aquatic animal health research, service, and outreach is interdepartmental, and bridges the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation at the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The faculty and laboratories involved offer a variety of diagnostic and health certification services for publicly and privately managed aquatic animal facilities.

End Date

This position is funded for an initial one-year appointment ending one year from the start date. Renewal is contingent upon continued funding; however, current projections indicate funding is expected to be available for up to two additional years.

Bidding Eligibility

Bidding eligibility ends August 4, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.