"Research Professional 5 - Clinical Research"

About the Job

This research position is within the Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care in the University of Minnesota Medical School. Our mission is to develop and evaluate innovative, effective acute trauma care from point of injury through early post-injury in austere, low resource, rural, and emergency care settings. We have sought to create a multidisciplinary, translational research center that brings together trauma and emergency care research across the state of Minnesota and develops faculty and trainee research careers.

This position supports the clinical and pre-clinical research within the Center. The successful candidate will lead laboratory activities focused on biospecimen processing, immune profiling, and transcriptomic analysis, and will coordinate key aspects of lab operations. This position requires proficiency in a wide range of molecular and cellular techniques, as well as the ability to manage lab personnel and contribute to scientific publications. It is expected that the person in this position work independently with minimal guidance from the supervisor.

Responsibilities:

• (70%) Lead the research team including experiments using animal and human samples and associated data.
• Biospecimen and Molecular Analysis:
• Collect, process, and store human and/or animal biospecimens (blood, tissue, BAL, etc.) under IRB/IACUC-compliant protocols.
• Isolate extracellular vesicles from blood and biologic fluids.
• Isolate high-quality RNA/DNA for downstream analysis, including bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).
• Prepare NGS libraries and coordinate sample submission with sequencing cores.
• Immunological and Cellular Assays:
• Conduct flow cytometry for immune cell phenotyping in blood and tissue samples from trauma and sepsis patients/models.
• Perform in vitro assays such as immune cell stimulation, cytokine release assays, and co-culture models relevant to inflammation.
• Execute qPCR, ELISA, and Western blotting to assess gene and protein expression relevant to systemic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and organ injury.
• (20%) Data Analysis and Management
• Maintain detailed experimental records and contribute to standardized operating procedures (SOPs).
• Analyze, visualize, and present experimental data to the PI and collaborators.
• Manage biospecimen repository.
• Evaluate new and developing in vivo and in vitro models.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, figure generation, methods writing, and grant support.
• Generate experiment reports.
• Use basic statistical methods to analyze data.
• (10%) Lab Operations and Team Oversight:
• Manage day-to-day lab operations, including ordering, inventory, equipment maintenance, biosafety compliance, and freezer/sample management.
• Supervise, train and mentor junior staff, students, and rotating residents/fellows.
• Coordinate weekly team research meetings.
• Co-author and collaborate on manuscripts, reports, presentations and grant proposals.
• Serve as point-of-contact for coordinating with core facilities (e.g., flow cytometry, genomics, biobanking) and clinical collaborators.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Advanced degree with 1 year of research experience.
• Previous experience in a research setting.

Preferred qualifications:

• Interest in biomarker pre-clinical research.
• Interest in clinical research.
• Proficiency in biospecimen handling, molecular assays (qPCR, Western blot, ELISA), and flow cytometry.
• Experience working with small and large animal models.
• Experience working with human clinical samples or animal models of trauma, sepsis, or critical illness.
• Familiarity with immune profiling, cytokine analysis, or transcriptomic workflows.
• Experience with RNA/DNA extraction and preparation of samples for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and/or scRNA-seq.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently in a translational research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing scientific documentation.
• Ability to read, interpret, and carefully follow experimental protocols. Basic computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) with willingness to learn advanced software related to specific research activities.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office.
• Prior leadership or laboratory management experience.

About the Department

The Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma mission is to develop and evaluate innovative, effective acute trauma care from point of injury through early post-injury in austere, low resource, rural, and emergency care settings. We have sought to create a multidisciplinary, translational research center that brings together trauma and emergency care research across the state of Minnesota and develops faculty and trainee research careers.

Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.

The mission of the regional campus located in Duluth is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. In partnership with CentraCare, the regional campus in St. Cloud offers a wide range of patient experiences throughout students’ education in Greater Minnesota and prepares them to become exceptional clinicians and leaders for rural and immigrant populations.

Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School has three campuses. A four-year MD program and the MD/PhD program are located on the Twin Cities campus in addition to MD programs at regional campuses in Duluth and St. Cloud.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $80,000 - $90,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off; continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program; low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans; healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts; University HSA contributions; disability and employer-paid life insurance; employee wellbeing program; excellent retirement plans with employer contribution; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity; financial counseling services; Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost; Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.