A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Genoplastic Surgery Lab (University of Michigan, Section of Plastic Surgery), led by Dr. David Brown, is a basic-translational plastic surgery research laboratory focused on genetic modification of tissues for regenerative medicine, limb loss, and wound healing. Our work sits at the intersection of regenerative biology and gene therapy, using an approach we call genoplastic surgery - A framework for shaping surgical tissues at the molecular level to enable improved repair and regeneration.

Our primary model system is mouse digit regeneration, which stands as one of the few examples of complex tissue regeneration in mammals. We study conserved genes and regulatory sequences that control regeneration and leverage them to build gene therapy vectors and regulatory-element-directed expression systems toward the long-term goal of proximal digit and limb regeneration. Additional projects explore gene therapy for other plastic surgery applications, including wound healing and postamputation pain.

We are seeking a Research Lab Specialist to serve as the lab's technical anchor and operational leader as the laboratory launches at the University of Michigan (anticipated start on July 1st, 2026). This role is designed for a highly capable experimentalist who can keep the lab running smoothly (compliance, inventory, equipment, mouse colonies) while also contributing scientifically through bench work, data analysis, and co-authorship on publications.

• Serve as day-to-day operational lead for the lab (ordering, inventory, receiving, organization, vendor coordination).
• Maintain regulatory compliance and documentation, coordinate with IACUC, institutional biosafety/IBC, and other EHS/regulatory offices.
• Manage mouse colony logistics (breeding plans, genotyping workflows, recordkeeping, transfers, coordinate specialized services as needed).
• Maintain and troubleshoot core lab equipment, coordinate service contracts, maintain calibration/maintenance logs, and onboarding of new equipment.
• Execute and troubleshoot molecular biology workflows (e.g., PCR/qPCR, cloning, plasmid prep, sample prep for sequencing).
• Support gene delivery workflows (e.g., AAV/plasmid-based studies) consistent with institutional biosafety practices.
• Coordinate and/or perform immunofluorescence and imaging workflows, organize and archive imaging datasets.
• Coordinate NGS experiments with core facilities (e.g., spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq), ensuring sample integrity and metadata completeness.
• Train and mentor trainees on protocols, safety, recordkeeping, and experimental rigor.
• Contribute to experimental planning, data interpretation, and manuscripts; authorship commensurate with contribution.
• Specific responsibilities may change as the lab grows.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and significant progressively responsible laboratory experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Strong hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR/qPCR, cloning, plasmid work) and quantitative experimental documentation.
• Demonstrated experience working with mice and in a regulated research environment (training/compliance, documentation).
• Proven ability to troubleshoot independently, manage multiple priorities, and communicate effectively with diverse collaborators.
   

• Master's or PhD in a related field and/or publication record.
• Experience with AAV biology/vector workflows and/or other gene delivery approaches.
• Experience with mouse surgical models (or strong interest and ability to learn).
• Experience coordinating/performing NGS workflows (single-cell, spatial, ATAC-seq) and/or downstream analysis.
• Microscopy experience and quantitative image analysis experience.
• Experience building SOPs, inventory systems, and inspection readiness programs.
   

• Full-time (40 hrs/week).
• Laboratory will be located in the Biomedical Sciences Research Building (BSRB) on the University of Michigan Medical Campus.
• Onsite work is expected for most duties (wet lab, animals, imaging). Limited hybrid flexibility may be possible for analysis/writing tasks based on unit policy and operational needs.

This is a 12-month term-limited position with the possibility of renewal based upon availability of work, funding, and performance. At the end of the stated term, your appointment will terminate and will not be eligible for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) benefits. This term-limited appointment does not constitute a contract or guarantee of continued employment. Your position remains subject to the University's policies and standards regarding employee performance and conduct, including the possibility of disciplinary action or termination, in accordance with applicable guidelines.

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 employment opportunity employer.

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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