Department
 

PME Chevrier Lab

About the Department
 

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME; https://pme.uchicago.edu/) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

Job Summary
 

The Chevrier Lab is seeking a Research Specialist with a background and interests in computational or experimental biology who will work collaboratively with the Principal Investigator, Postdoctoral Researchers, and students. Under general supervision, the incumbent provides routine or standardized laboratory research-related duties and tasks, including developing experimental or computational approaches to investigate the mammalian immune system. Depending on the successful candidate’s background – dry or wet lab, emphasis will be twofold: 1) basic molecular biology and cellular immunology techniques in vitro and in vivo, and 2) next-generation sequencing-based technologies to perform genome-scale measurements of gene expression or other parameters.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision of the principal investigator, supervises and/or helps with the complex technical duties in a laboratory, doing non-clinical as well as clinical research. 
• Carries out small independent projects as well as basic bench-level experiments and techniques and/or computational work.
• Documents, compiles, and assists with interpreting experimental data and adjusting experimental protocols.
• Reports data to supervisor and team, attends team meetings to share results, plans projects and experiments, and ensures that projects support current team goals.
• Consults with other scientists or scientific literature as needed.
• Assists with training new lab members and interns.
• Assists in maintaining an organizing lab space and inventory of laboratory supplies (ex: maintains stock of reagents).
• Interacts with vendors to address equipment, reagent, or supply solutions, including working with all levels of staff to assist in evaluating new equipment.
• Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Maintains recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Has general awareness in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the research being conducted.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Experience in a research laboratory, preferably in an independent project.
• Conducting wet or dry lab work in a research laboratory, preferably in an independent project.
• Working in an academic and laboratory research environment, preferably on an independent project (e.g., undergrad summer projects).
• For wet lab candidates, possess a familiarity with basic molecular biology techniques, sterile techniques, and the operation of standard lab equipment.
• For wet lab candidates, demonstrated experience with mouse husbandry and extraction of tissues.
• For dry lab candidates, possess a familiarity with coding in R, UNIX, python and/or other languages.
• For dry lab candidates, demonstrated experience with next-generation sequencing data is a plus.
• Knowledge of immunology is a plus; desire to learn.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of basic computer proficiency including computer programs and standard laboratory equipment.
• For experimental candidates, knowledge of research techniques or methods for basic molecular biology and sterile techniques.
• For computational candidates, knowledge of basic programming in a few coding languages.
• Knowledge of relevant scientific field.
• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated problem-solving, organization, analytical and coordination skills including attention to detail.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to read and comprehend scientific and technical literature, and methods to stay abreast of developments in the field.
• Work independently and collaborative with other lab personnel.
• Familiarity with first principles simulation techniques.
• Assist in training lab personnel.

Working Conditions

• Laboratory environment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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