"Research Lab Tech Intermediate"

Details

Posted: 06-Aug-25

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 266794

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY

Under direct supervision of the Principal Investigator perform technical support to drive scientific research in the field of pediatric neuro-oncology. Participate in supervising junior research staff and support personnel.

The overall responsibilities of this role will focus on lab efforts to study patient blood samples and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples for clues about their cancer. The goal of this work is to develop blood-based and CSF-based tests that will benefit pediatric brain cancer patients. Additional aspects of this job will coordinate with sample acquisition and sample sharing for childhood cancer research. The projects will require the candidate to liaise with hospital staff and laboratory staff to acquire patient samples, execute processing of samples, and engage with patient medical records.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently execute tasks involving blood-based and CSF-based assay development for pediatric brain cancer patients (30%): Lead organization, collection, and characterization of human samples, including informed consent discussions with patients. Perform blood sample processing and characterization, and supervise/training lab members in these experiments. Assist in assay development for blood-based analyte measurement.
• Assist in the analysis of drug pharmacokinetics for pediatric brain cancer patients on clinical trials (30%): Contribute to multiple clinical trials occurring at the University of Michigan, including PNOC022, PNOC023, and upcoming PNOC035. Maintain and manage patient sample records for correlative records of treatment with assay results. Assist with sample processing for molecular analysis. Liaise with the University of Michigan Pharmacokinetics Core and interpret data.
• Participate in multi-institutional pediatric brain tumor sample biobanking efforts through the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN), the Rare Brain Tumor Consortium (RBTC), and institutional University of Michigan autopsy sample procurement (20%).
• Assist other team members in their projects (20%).
• Independently implement technical procedures for assignments.
• Participate in laboratory meetings.
• Responsible for accurate record-keeping.
• Interact with collaborators as necessary to provide interpretation of study results.
• Communicate and make recommendations to other scientists in the team.
• Train personnel in existing laboratory techniques and procedures, explain and demonstrate technology and equipment capabilities, operation limitation and outcomes.

Supervision Received

Direction is received from the Principal Investigator. Staff members in this classification are expected to work independently and in collaboration with other laboratory personnel, regularly exercise good judgment in setting priorities, resolving operational problems and the application of procedures, methods and policies.

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision may be exercised over lab assistant, graduate and undergraduate students and other junior personnel.

Education

High School Diploma or Associate's Degree

Bachelor's or master’s degree in the life sciences or other relevant discipline.

Experience

1-3 years of experience

At least 1 year of relevant professional experience

Skills and abilities

Excellent skills with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and GraphPad Prism. Experience working in a cancer biology laboratory, including knowledge of how to operate and maintain basic laboratory equipment. Hands-on experience with cellular and molecular experiments in childhood cancer research, including tissue culture of brain cancer cells, nucleic acid isolation, and other BSL-2 techniques. Exceptional organization and attention to detail are essential, related to lab maintenance tasks and experimental protocols. Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with patients, families, all levels of staff, and with external contacts are needed. Ability and eagerness to learn in a self-motivating environment.

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 employment opportunity employer.