Senior Laboratory Sciences Professional

Requisition #: 40787

About the Role

The Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, is seeking a Senior Laboratory Sciences Professional to provide oversight, coordination, and optimization of transgenic mouse colonies that support biomedical and translational research programs. This position offers strategic leadership for colony management activities, including breeding program design, animal husbandry oversight, colony health monitoring, genotyping coordination, inventory management, and regulatory compliance. The role ensures research colonies are maintained efficiently, ethically, and in accordance with institutional, regulatory, and animal welfare standards while maximizing resource utilization and supporting scientific objectives.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Principal Investigators (PIs), researchers, clinicians, veterinary staff, animal care personnel, and other stakeholders to support research activities and study objectives.
• Provide laboratory and research support by performing experiments, utilizing specialized laboratory techniques, conducting analytical testing processes, collecting and preparing samples, evaluating results, analyzing data, and communicating findings.
• Support study design, study oversight, data management, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and the development of research methodologies across a wide range of research disciplines.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, inventory management, stocking supplies, safety compliance, cleanliness, sample handling, transportation of research materials, and disposal of laboratory materials according to established guidelines.
• Design, manage, and optimize breeding strategies for transgenic mouse colonies to support current and future research needs while ensuring compliance with the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement (3Rs).
• Monitor animal health, welfare, breeding performance, productivity, genotypes, pedigrees, and colony inventories; coordinate with veterinary staff as needed and ensure compliance with IACUC protocols and institutional policies.
• Coordinate animal requests, breeding schedules, colony planning, animal transfers, imports and exports, tissue collection, sample processing, genotyping activities, and preparation of animals for experimental studies.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, inventories, breeding documentation, laboratory logs, subject-level documentation, and research data; prepare reports, breeding summaries, census reports, and other required documentation.
• Analyze laboratory and colony performance data, identify trends and operational challenges, troubleshoot issues, and develop recommendations to improve research outcomes, breeding efficiency, operational effectiveness, and resource utilization.
• Develop, review, implement, and maintain laboratory and colony management procedures, protocols, training materials, process flows, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, institutional requirements, quality standards, and laboratory best practices; identify concerns and escalate issues when necessary.
• Independently identify and implement innovative laboratory and colony management solutions, develop or modify research techniques and procedures, and support continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Assist leadership with quality improvement efforts, development of operational processes and procedures, strategic planning, and implementation of best practices.
• Train, mentor, and provide guidance to laboratory personnel and junior team members on laboratory operations, research procedures, animal colony management, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor inventory levels, forecast future research and colony needs, coordinate procurement of supplies and materials, and maintain resources necessary to support research operations and timelines.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or related field.
• Two (2) years of professional-level research experience.
• Substitution: An advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis if the degree is in a field of study directly related to the work assignment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in an experimental or wet laboratory.

Skills

• Advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques including safety procedures and techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Knowledge of basic human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
• Ability to interpret and master complex research protocol information.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
• Must be willing and able to pass national criminal and sex offender background checks.
• Must successfully pass a 10-panel drug screen through Children’s Hospital Colorado.
• Some positions may require additional drug testing if access to Children’s Hospital or their systems is needed.

Work Location

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
  • Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
  • Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
  • Holiday Days: 15/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

Pay

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $56,249 to $75,373. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.