Research Specialist - Neurosurgery

Location: Saint Louis, MO 63110 | Scheduled Hours: 40

About the role

The Lazaro Lab is recruiting for a Research Specialist to help launch a translational research program focused on microvascular failure after ischemic stroke. This is a foundational hire who will work directly with the principal investigator (Dr. Tyler Lazaro) to establish experimental platforms, organize laboratory operations, and independently conduct complex experiments. The successful candidate will contribute to experimental planning while taking primary responsibility for protocol execution, optimization, and troubleshooting.

About the Lazaro Lab

Beyond recanalization - targeting the post-ischemic microvasculature. The Lazaro Lab investigates why restoring flow through an occluded artery does not always rescue ischemic brain tissue. We study how distal capillary inflammation, no-reflow, impaired clearance, and maladaptive immune signaling sustain ischemia and propagate injury after recanalization. By combining patient-derived thrombectomy specimens with mechanistic stroke models, we seek therapeutic targets for the next generation of stroke treatments.

The ideal candidate is rigorous, organized, technically curious, and excited to help build a new laboratory. They enjoy taking ownership of experiments, solving practical problems, and working across clinical and basic-science environments. We value careful experimentation, intellectual honesty, open communication, collaboration, and mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex analyses, experiments, and project work under general direction of the PI. Serves as representative for PI and ensures procedures and protocols are adhered to consistently and effectively meet department's standard.
• Exhibits a high degree of independent problem solving and ability to conduct research on assigned projects. May serve in lead role as needed.
• Establishes workflows for processing, preserving, and tracking thrombectomy-retrieved clots and related biospecimens.
• Performs molecular, histologic, and imaging assays and prepare limited clinical specimens for multi-omic analysis.
• Conducts or trains in animal models of cerebral ischemia, microvascular injury, and meningeal lymphatic function.
• Plans, develops, organizes, and formalizes research results and findings. May develop for presentation and/or present on behalf of department.
• Conducts literature searches related to research projects. Writes/co-authors publications and/or papers supporting research findings in logical and sometimes multiple formats tailored to audiences. May participate in work related to grants.
• Solves practical problems relating to difficulty with equipment or test subjects. Suggests technical/procedural improvements in various methods. May develop and optimize experimental procedures and protocols. Provide high-level troubleshooting to advance process or lab procedures.
• Serves as department's research representative and may participate in various related meetings and events. Gathers/delivers data/information and serves as subject matter expert. Performs statistical data analysis, as needed. Presents research information to internal and/or external audiences.
• Organizes and maintains required documentation on lab and/or specimen conditions and can develop and summarize information into usable formats or presentations on behalf of the department. May communicate findings to various users or external audiences.
• Performs all related work in accordance with established protocols and safety/compliance requirements.
• May explain methods, lead, or train other personnel or observers.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• 4 years of experience in a laboratory setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct multi-step experiments.
• Strong experimental troubleshooting, organization, documentation, and communication skills.
• Willingness to work with human biospecimens and animal models following appropriate training.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Human biospecimen processing, molecular biology, or low-input sample preparation.
  • Small animal procedures, vascular biology, or neuroinflammation.
  • Histology, immunofluorescence, microscopy, or quantitative image analysis.
  • Laboratory organization, protocol development, or biobanking.
• Candidates are not expected to have prior experience with every technique.

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Detail-Oriented
• Laboratory Instrumentation
• Laboratory Research
• Oral Communications
• Recordkeeping
• Self-Starter
• Software Program
• Spreadsheets
• Statistical Software
• Written Communication

Working Conditions

Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Pay

Salary Range: $41,700.00 - $75,600.00 / Annually

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, combining employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more.
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child. Family care resources for continued childcare needs. Adult care resources available.
• Tuition coverage for employees and their family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.