Research Laboratory Tech Sr

About the role

Job Summary: The Senior Research Laboratory Technician provides technical support for research focused on the development and preclinical evaluation of biologic therapeutics. The individual will perform molecular biology and protein biochemistry experiments, as well as maintain and work with mouse colonies used for research. Core responsibilities include molecular cloning, DNA preparation, PCR, protein expression and analysis, mouse breeding and genotyping, maintenance of animal records, preparation of experimental cohorts, therapeutic administration, tissue and sample collection, and experimental data organization and analysis. The technician will work closely with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other laboratory personnel under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.

Additional Information: This is a 3-year term-limited position, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability. The position provides an opportunity to gain broad experience in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, antibody therapeutics, and preclinical animal research within a highly collaborative academic research environment. The technician will interact closely with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research scientists working on multiple externally funded biomedical research projects.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mouse colonies, including breeding, weaning, identification, genotyping, record-keeping, and preparing experimental cohorts.
• Participate in animal therapeutic studies, including mouse handling, administering experimental therapeutics, health monitoring, and sample/tissue collection.
• Perform molecular biology techniques, including PCR, DNA and plasmid preparation, molecular cloning, and sequence verification.
• Perform protein biochemistry experiments, including recombinant protein expression and purification, sample preparation, SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, and related assays.
• Assist with laboratory operations, including preparing reagents and buffers, maintaining laboratory inventories, and organizing experimental data and records.
• Work collaboratively with laboratory members to execute experiments and troubleshoot procedures.
• Maintain accurate, detailed records for all experiments and animal care while adhering strictly to university safety and animal-use requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, neuroscience, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering, or a closely related biological/biomedical science field.
• Previous laboratory research experience acquired through undergraduate research, internships, employment, or equivalent laboratory training.
• Basic knowledge of molecular biology and biochemistry principles.
• Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and a proven ability to maintain accurate, thorough experimental records.
• Willingness to work with laboratory mice and complete all required university animal-use and laboratory safety training.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with laboratory mice including handling, breeding, weaning, genotyping, injections, therapeutic studies, or tissue collection is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience with techniques such as PCR, molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, immunoblotting, ELISA, or related biochemical assays.
• Experience working in an academic biomedical research laboratory and familiarity with maintaining organized experimental records.

Special Requirements:

• Position requires regular, hands-on work with laboratory mice and biological materials.
• Mandatory completion of all applicable University of Michigan animal-use, biosafety, and laboratory safety training programs.
• Occasional flexibility beyond standard working hours may be required to accommodate time-sensitive animal breeding, health monitoring, therapeutic dosing, or sample collection.
• Requires full onsite presence to perform routine laboratory functions, including maneuvering within the lab environment, manipulating small tools and equipment, and transporting lab equipment or animal cages weighing up to 10 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation.