Job Summary:
The University of Minnesota offers an outstanding opportunity for an independent and well-organized individual to serve as a Research Scientist III in Dr. Monica Campo's lab within the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine (PACCS). Dr. Campo, a pulmonologist and immunology researcher with an MPH and a strong publication record, leads research investigating the human lung innate immune response to respiratory infections.
 

The University of Minnesota's mission statement is: "We seek new knowledge that can change how we all work and live." This position is essential to that mission by generating high-quality data to improve our understanding of regulatory innate immunity pathways, with the goal of discovering novel therapeutics for respiratory infections.
 

This position contributes to research development and implementation within the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. The scope of work includes developing microbiologic and immunologic assays and methods, analyzing and interpreting results, and co-writing manuscripts and grant applications. This role provides a unique opportunity for direct collaboration with a vibrant community of experienced colleagues at the Center for Immunology at the University of Minnesota, interaction with professional society organizations, and engagement with local community organizations and health systems. Additionally, this role involves fostering local community partnerships, performing administrative tasks to ensure smooth lab operations, and supervising junior lab members.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:
 

75% Research Activities:

• Perform experiments and analyze experimental samples to study Mycobacteria pathogenesis and cellular immunology. Responsible for generating, recording, and analyzing data, including working in a biosafety level 3 laboratory.
• Assist in designing research projects: independently plan and perform complex experiments and analyses, record all experimental protocols and data, and organize and interpret experimental results.
• Operate routine lab equipment such as balances, pH meters, centrifuges, thermal cyclers, and microscopes. Record results manually and using image and analysis software.
• Maintain training and other regulatory records.
• Optimize and standardize gene editing protocols for primary human myeloid cells using CRISPR/Cas9, tissue culture, and flow cytometry. Other techniques will include bacterial and mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, scRNA and ATAC sequencing, bacterial culture, and bacterial gene editing/engineering.
• Perform everyday tasks such as laboratory cleanup and replenishing supplies as needed. Manage hazardous and chemical waste.

15% Administrative Tasks:

• Co-manage lab inventory and day-to-day orders.
• Maintain biosafety procedures and administrative records, and handle laboratory paperwork.
• Assist with writing institutional protocols, grant proposals, and manuscripts.
• Lead grant proposal and manuscript writing efforts.

10% Supervisory:

• Oversee the work of undergraduate student interns and rotating graduate students. 
• Assist with experimental design and technical procedures.

Required Qualification (Must be documented on all application materials)

• BA/BS in a related science and 2 years of related experience or a combination of education and work experience to equal six years
• Three or more years of recent, directly related laboratory work experience post-degree completion.
• Ability to perform laboratory procedures independently.
• Ability to design, conduct, and analyze experiments independently.
• Strong track record of generating high-quality data for publications and grant applications

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Proven experience with mammalian and bacterial tissue culture, DNA and RNA extractions, flow cytometry, cell sorting, and scRNA ATAC sequencing.
• Experience isolating cells from human blood and thawing cryopreserved cells.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques, including genomic PCR, RT-PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, and sequencing.
• Basic knowledge of data analysis and programming in R.
• Experience in basic immunological methods, such as ELISA and western blotting.
• Experience or willingness to learn BSL-3 technical skills, including work with pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Prior experience with lab management and organization (shipment, inventories, biosafety inspections, etc.).
• Supervisory experience or the potential to oversee undergraduate researchers.
   

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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