Staff Scientist

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as lab manager for a Principal Investigator. Works independently with only occasional suggestions to modify, vary or adapt standard laboratory procedures to perform research related activities to meet the specialized needs of the research projects of the Principal Investigator.
• Responsibilities will include: Techniques to be performed and troubleshooting: Western blotting, immunostaining, lung functioning experiments, ELISA, bone marrow and stem cell isolation, mitochondrial dysfunction by Seahorse, Northern blotting, ribonuclease protection assays, tissue section staining, various nuclear and cytoplasmic staining assays, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization. RNA isolation and DNA isolation, ChIP assay, EMSA (gel shift assay), RT-PCR, restriction enzyme digests, plasmid purification and extraction, quantifying results, analysis and record keeping. Perform new experiments and assays in cells and tissues. Assists and trains undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to learn and perform assays, routine techniques/methods, and procedures for their experiments.
• Independently supervises and oversee large colonies of rodent breeding, genotyping and maintenance.  Duties will include oversight of preparation of experimental substance (e.g. drugs, environmental chemicals) administration.  Oversees the ordering, breeding, and euthanasia of rodents for laboratory use; ensures detailed record keeping of such activities including UCAR and DCM forms/reports is maintained and up-to-date.  All animal work will be performed in compliance with DCM and UCAR guidelines.  Mouse colony management and exposures to rodents are required. The Staff Scientist will communicate with DCM staff in order to ensure the health of experimental research subjects.  They will also coordinate with UCAR for annual and ad-hoc inspections to ensure compliance with all UCAR polices. Provides guidance and trains and supervises other laboratory members (e.g. students, postodocs, technicians, etc.) to complete these duties.
• Participates and contributes to regularly-scheduled laboratory meetings.  Provides a verbal account of progress on lab-specific goals, including experimental progress on research activities, as well as reporting of lab members’ compliance with Federal, State, and University regulations for use of laboratory animals, hazardous materials, and general laboratory health and safety as needed.  Develops, installs, and maintains operating procedures for the laboratory, and independently operates complex equipment (e.g. Luminex, cytation5, imaging, flow cytometry, seahorse, seahorse, lumicycle, fluorescent microscopes, spectrophotometers). Develops and modifies test methods and selects procedures for data collection and handling. Optimizes methods for data analysis and statistical treatment of data by establishing and updating protocols for data conversion.
• Interviews, trains, supervises and evaluates laboratory staff, graduate students, post-doctoral trainees and other laboratory members. Directs initial training as well as monitors and fosters continuous skill development of staff/trainees in laboratory techniques and instrumentation procedures (general laboratory instruction and more complex procedures related to research area). Counsels staff/trainees on technical problems, advises, and assists staff/trainees with projects associated with major areas of research (oxidative stress, inflammation, epigenetics, DNA damage/repair, exosomes, and scarring) or with special research projects as needed.  Involved in the identification and gathering of necessary research materials, supplies, equipment and apparatus and experimental resources. Evaluates demonstrations of products and makes recommendations for the acquisition of new products and materials as necessary to expand or continue research in a competitive manner. When necessary, will coordinate service support, repair of equipment, and requisitioning of supplies and research materials as well as minor construction. Evaluates the performance of research equipment, making design changes, recommendations for acquisition of new or supporting equipment/materials and/or developing new approaches for the use of current technology.
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Doctoral degree in Biological Sciences or related field required
• and 2 years of relevant postdoctoral training supported by a substantial record of publications required
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in Microsoft Office with advanced skills in Excel preferred
• Excellent organizational and office management skills; meticulous attention to detail is essential preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are necessary preferred
• Possess advanced computer skills to use a variety of electronic or online systems for communication and administrative purposes preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple activities under pressure and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner preferred. 
• Ability to interact with all levels of faculty and staff from other departments throughout the University as well as outside agencies preferred.
• Must be able to demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness in managing priorities and take responsibility for accomplishing his/her own work while maintaining confidentiality of information preferred.
• High degree of professionalism, excellent time management, and problem solving abilities. Leadership, accountability, discretion, integrity, strong organization skills,  initiative, team player.  Ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary team environment. Exceptional customer service skills; preferred.
• Additional experience includes handling clinical samples, training graduate and undergraduate students in the laboratory, as well as sufficient skills to write manuscripts and independent research grants. Personnel with independent grant support/award/fellowship will be preferred for this position.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.