MURR Research Specialist

Hiring Department

MRR Research & Education

Job Description

The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is seeking a highly motivated Research Specialist to join our team. This position offers a unique blend of hands-on research and managerial responsibilities, providing an excellent opportunity for professional growth. You will contribute to cutting-edge research in medical radionuclide production and radiometal chelation systems, helping advance the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals for early cancer detection and treatment.

Key Duties

In this role, you will report to Dr. Heather Hennkens and collaborate with the Hennkens group, engaging in both laboratory research and managerial duties. Your primary responsibilities will include:

Project & Lab Management

• Contact vendors and suppliers, request quotes, and place/receive orders for laboratory equipment, instrumentation, materials, and supplies
• Maintain safe, organized, functional, and efficient lab spaces
• Maintain lab equipment and instrumentation and, when necessary, schedule and facilitate service visits
• Assist in study planning and the preparation of budgets
• Schedule reactor time for sample irradiations
• Schedule and facilitate transfers of radioactive materials to, from, and between MURR, other MU locations (including MITC, Chemistry), and external collaborator institutions
• Coordinate activities across multiple departments to achieve various objectives
• Maintain complete and accurate records for regulatory and compliance purposes
• Write procedural documents as lab processes become standardized

Lab & Research Work

• Support the development of novel radionuclide production methods, radiometal chelation systems, and theranostic radiopharmaceuticals by training, assisting, and mentoring student researchers in the labs
• Supervise lab workers and contribute to team development
• Manage inventory of radioactive materials
• Prepare targets for irradiation, including target material weighing into quartz vials, vial flame sealing, and vial leak testing
• Process irradiated targets, including vial washing, vial scoring and cracking, and target material transferring and dissolution
• Conduct chemical separations to purify radionuclide products and recover/recycle unreacted target materials
• Perform various quality assessments of radioactive and non-radioactive samples
• Operate various laboratory instrumentation (e.g., TLC, HPLC) to evaluate radioactive and non-radioactive samples

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and a team player who has excellent organizational and time management skills. We are looking for someone who consistently demonstrates:

• Leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Critical thinking and adaptability in a research environment
• A growth mindset and willingness to engage in multidisciplinary research
• Dedication to upholding University values and maintaining high professional integrity

Shift

Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM with some variance as needed for lab operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in related/relevant area and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Chemistry wet laboratory experience
• Experience working in a radiation laboratory, particularly in the handling of radioactive materials with activities in excess of exempt quantities

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $70,000 to $90,000 annually

Grade: GGS-M11

University Title: MURR Research Specialist