Research Professional 1 - Department of Microbiology and Immunology

About the role

The Gale Lab is seeking a researcher with organizational and time-management skills to work on projects centered on virus identification and innate immunity to virus infection. The ideal candidate will have an interest in performing protein/RNA/DNA assays including PCR and nucleic-acid library production and analysis, mouse-colony management, pre-clinical studies of virus infection and immunity, virus assays, immune assays, tissue dissection, histology, microscopy, tissue/cell culture, and general lab management. The ideal applicant will be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Because specific tasks will shift with each project, a willingness to learn and be flexible is critical.

Responsibilities

• Lab procedures (70%): Under general supervision of senior lab members, assist in the preparation of solutions; extraction and measurement of protein/RNA/DNA; PCR; library prep; virus culture; cell culture; immune assays; and histology.
• Mouse colony management and use (10%): Based on written lab protocols, participate in mouse colony management and innate-immune studies.
• General lab maintenance and lab compliance (10%).
• Documentation (10%): In collaboration with senior lab members, write and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and detailed documentation of methods and experimental results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BA/BS in a STEM-related field or a combination of related education and work experience totaling four years.
• At least three months’ experience as an undergraduate researcher (or equivalent) in a research lab, including experience conducting biological assay(s).

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to learn, develop, and troubleshoot new procedures.
• Ability to keep clear and comprehensive records.
• Experience in extraction and measurement of protein/DNA/RNA.
• Experience with tissue and/or cell culture.
• Experience in microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry.
• Experience with pre-clinical models (e.g., small-animal surgery, behavior, perfusion, dissection).
• Experience in management of mouse breeding colonies.
• Experience with handling and working with biohazards.

About the department

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology (DMI) is a basic-science department in the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Faculty focus on the study of microorganism–host interactions and engage in translational research to build and evaluate preclinical and clinical applications of research discoveries. DMI faculty have a strong focus on immunology, virology, bacteriology, and fungal biology, encompassing microbial physiology and genetics, the immune response to infection, and systems biology of infection, immunity, and disease.

Pay

Pay range: $23 to $24.52 an hour, depending on education, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Healthcare and dependent-care flexible spending accounts.
• University HSA contributions.
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance.
• Employee wellbeing program.
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.
• Financial counseling services.
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.