Research Lab Specialist Lead

The laboratory of Dr. Yunlu Zhu in the Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology-HNS at the University of Michigan is seeking a highly motivated Research Lab Specialist to support an active research program investigating neurons and glia in vestibular function and regeneration. The Zhu Lab uses zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model system and combines genetics, transgenic animal maintenance, fluorescent screening, confocal imaging, behavioral assays, experimental design, and quantitative analysis.

About the role

The successful candidate will work closely with the principal investigator and will play a central role in daily research operations, experimental execution, and trainee mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily research operations involving adult and larval zebrafish.
• Maintain, genotype, and manage transgenic zebrafish lines.
• Perform fluorescence screening, confocal microscopy, image analysis, and behavioral assays.
• Design, optimize, and execute experiments in zebrafish genetics, imaging, molecular biology, and neural circuit function.
• Perform techniques including PCR, immunofluorescence, genotyping, and fluorescence microscopy.
• Develop and maintain laboratory protocols, experimental records, and quality control procedures.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety, biosafety, and animal care regulations.
• Train and supervise students, technicians, and other laboratory personnel.
• Assist with manuscripts, grant applications, scientific presentations, and collaborative research projects.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Developmental Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of postdoctoral or equivalent biomedical research experience.
• Extensive experience with zebrafish as a vertebrate model system, including transgenic line maintenance, embryo and larval handling, screening, genotyping, and experimental manipulation.
• Demonstrated expertise in neurobiology, neural injury and repair, regeneration biology, neuroinflammation, or related biomedical research areas.
• Experience with core molecular and cellular biology techniques, including immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence, molecular cloning and genotyping.
• Strong record of scientific productivity, including first-author peer-reviewed publications after PhD, and posters and oral conference presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and supervise students, trainees, technicians, or junior researchers.

Skills

• Experience developing or optimizing zebrafish models of nervous system injury, repair, or regeneration.
• Expertise in zebrafish neurobiology, CNS injury models, neural regeneration, neuroimmune signaling, and microglia biology.
• Experience with transgenesis, CRISPR/Cas9, RNA-based approaches, quantitative imaging, or functional genomics.
• Experience contributing to manuscripts, grant applications, and collaborations.