How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume/CV. The cover letter should address your specific interest in this position and relevant qualifications, and include the names and contact information of three references.

Job Summary

A highly collaborative, interactive group of faculty, graduate students and technical staff is looking for a highly motivated biological scientist to join their research team looking at factors in the brain that regulate body weight, feeding behavior and glucose metabolism. The applicant will have primary responsibility managing our extensive mouse colony. In addition, they will work with other laboratory personnel using state-of-the-art techniques to determine how different isoforms of scaffold proteins work together to regulate appetite and glucose metabolism at the whole animal and cellular levels. The ideal candidate would have experience with handling mice, managing a mouse colony, databases, and polymerase chain (PCR) reactions. Experience with mouse metabolic phenotyping is desirable but not required. The position provides the opportunity to interact with the many laboratories that participate in the University of Michigan Diabetes Research Center and the University of Michigan Nutrition and Obesity Research Center. The Carter-Su laboratory, the Department of Integrative and Molecular Physiology, the Medical School, and the University of Michigan combine to offer outstanding opportunities for scientific development.

Responsibilities

• The successful applicant will be responsible for conducting research related to animal studies, including generating and maintaining multiple colonies of genetically modified mice and genotyping the mice. They may also be asked to help phenotype mice with emphasis on metabolic phenotypes; collect and section tissues; determine neuronal projections and architecture; perform enzymatic assays; and culture primary neurons.
• The applicant will be responsible for suggesting options for improving quality; identifying potential problems; recommending and implementing solutions; collaborating in the development of new techniques; and analyzing, interpreting data and implementing research methodology based on outcome of analysis.
• The person will also spend some of their time in training others in equipment operation and laboratory techniques.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in biological science or related health field
• 1 year or more experience as a laboratory assistant in biological science research laboratory
• Experience with mouse colony management, mouse handling and genotyping
• Ability and willingness to work with mice
• Must be detail-oriented, highly responsible with excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research team, and assist in teaching and supervision
• Highly motivated with strong work ethic and excellent interpersonal skills including reliability and sense of humor
• Demonstrated experience with computer skills for database management
• Ability to multitask and work with multiple individuals
• Knowledge of solution preparation and operation of basic research laboratory equipment (micropipets, centrigues, balance, pH meter)
• Proficient in English
• Desire to learn, enthusiasm and supportive references

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with insulin and glucose tolerance tests
• Experience with Softmouse database
• Experience with cell culture
• Experience with microscopy
• Excellent writing skills

Background Screening

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.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.