Laboratory Specialist Jobs

The Department of Cell Biology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine is seeking a Laboratory Specialist to carry out research in the laboratory of Dr. Karen Hirschi. The focus of the research is to understand the molecular regulation of blood and blood vessel development. The incumbent will assist in the management of the laboratory and mouse colony, and perform experiments supporting the goals of the lab with the supervision of the PI and other staff. This lab utilizes mouse embryo culture, molecular biology techniques, flow cytometry and microscopy as tools to achieve research goals.

The lab specialist will primarily be responsible for overseeing the mouse colony. This includes mouse colony breeding and maintenance, genotyping, maintaining the animal protocol, training lab personnel in mouse tissue collection and processing techniques, working closely with lab personnel to manage the overall colony size, and may be asked to assist lab personnel with surgical procedures.

The incumbent will attend weekly meetings with the Principal Investigator to discuss experimental results, conduct literature searches, and present results in lab meetings. The incumbent will work under supervision, independently and ethically, document all research data appropriately, and assist other members of the lab. The incumbent will also perform RNA isolation, qPCR, DNA isolation and analysis, and provide basic assistance to researchers in manipulating, computing, and analyzing data using specialized statistical computer software. This position also includes support activities such as management of the mouse colony, preparation of reagents for the laboratory, management of safety training and records, and the training of undergraduate and graduate researchers.

The ideal candidate will be a highly-motivated individual with a history of excellent work ethic, attention to detail, ability to learn new skills and working both independently and collaboratively. Preferred experience includes molecular biology, work with mice or rats, cell or tissue culture, flow cytometry and microscopy.

This is a restricted position; continuation is dependent on funding and satisfactory performance.

Review of applications will begin on May 1, 2023, but the position will remain open until filled.

Minimum Requirement

Education: Bachelor's degree. Six years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree.

Experience: Three years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in related science

Experience: Three years of experience in wet lab research in related science and experience working with mice.

Physical Demands

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.

Application Instructions Please apply through Workday and complete an application online. Include the following documents:

• A cover letter
• A CV/resume

All documents can be loaded into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks, Academic Recruiter. For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Karen Hirschi, Professor of Cell Biology. Before a formal offer of employment is extended, the selected candidate will undergo a background check per university policy. This is a restricted position, continuation is dependent on funding and satisfactory performance.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.