Career Center

Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the contact information for 2-3 references who are familiar with your work and can speak about your qualifications for this position. In your cover letter, please include a brief description of your long-term career goals and how they will be served by your time in the Pitchiaya lab. Applications will be reviewed immediately, and the search will remain open until the position is filled.

The laboratory of Dr. Sethu Pitchiaya seeks to hire a Research Specialist to perform basic and translational research and manage laboratory operations. Our work is highly interdisciplinary and lies at the intersection of RNA biology, Pathology and Technology development. The individual will work on exciting projects related to gene regulatory mechanisms in stress response and cancer, using classical and contemporary biomedical approaches.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, which supports individual development and collaborations. We encourage applications from under-represented minorities, including women, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, under-represented racial or ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities. We will make every effort to remove any barriers to the success of the hired individual. For further details about this position, please send an email to sethu@umich.edu.

1. The technical component of the position will involve conducting laboratory research in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, and cancer biology. In this regard, individual is expected to routinely perform standard assays that include, but is not limited to,

• Cell/tissue culture work.
• Gene expression studies (eg - qRT-PCR, western blot, luciferase reporters, fluorescent reporters, custom high-throughput spatial analysis assays).
• DNA/RNA/protein isolation from cells and tissues for genomics and proteomics.
• Molecular cloning and plasmid preparation.
• Screen compounds/siRNA/shRNA/CRISPR libraries using multi-well plate (96/384/1536 well) assays.
• Cell viability/proliferation/migration/invasion assays.
• Transfection assays, adeno-viral and lentiviral transduction, and stable cell line generation using CRISPR/Cas9.
• Mouse and human tissue processing for single-cell and spatial analysis.

As the lab works at the leading edge of assay and technology development, the individual will also have the unique opportunity to be trained on contemporary techniques that enable the accurate and high-throughput measurement of gene expression.

2. In the managerial component of the position, the individual will be responsible for day-today lab operations, including, but not limited to,

• Lab space organization.
• Serving as core personnel for lab equipment.
• Placing and managing lab orders and maintaining lab inventory.
• Performing data entry and data analysis for standard assays that the lab performs.
• Serving as the point of contact for students (e.g., student onboarding and student training).
• Being responsible for lab safety and serving as the lab safety officer.

Based on the individual’s interest, s/he will also be provided with professional development opportunities, including the opportunity to present work at external meetings, and write manuscripts and grants.

• A bachelor’s degree in the biomedical sciences.
• 5 or more years of related, technical experience.
• Fundamental laboratory organizational skills, including, placement of lab orders and maintain/manage lab inventory.
• The individual will be expected to perform both independently and cooperatively.
• S/he is expected to have excellent organizational skills, multi-tasking and problem-solving ability, interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to meet deadlines with a high degree of accuracy.
• The individual should possess attention to detail, motivation to learn new things and ability to adapt to changing needs of the lab.

• Master’s or higher-level education in the biomedical sciences. Education in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and cancer biology are favorable.
• Experience in laboratory maintenance and organizing e-notebooks and e-inventories.
• Experience with laboratory inventory management systems.
• Experience with working with and maintaining animals (e.g., mouse).
• Experience with G-suite and laboratory inventory management systems.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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