Senior Lab Specialist, Department of Surgery

The Department of Surgery in the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia seeks a Senior Lab Specialist to work in a laboratory doing translational cancer immunology research.

Lab Specialist Senior employees apply highly developed subject matter expertise to laboratory research. They are distinguished from Lab Specialist Intermediate employees in the complexity of their work and their responsibilities for staff management. They assist in the administration and coordination of the technical activities of a scientific research lab. Lab Specialist Senior employees assist Principal Investigators or Lab Managers by performing the following tasks: designing research methodologies, managing research projects, developing, and administering budgets and schedules, following established quality standards, and analyzing data and performance metrics. They ensure that standard operating procedures and protocols are maintained and applied. They employees may manage staff. They may co-author publications and co-present results with Principal Investigators.

Job responsibilities include:

• Assist faculty researchers and act independently in the design of research projects, the development of methods and procedures, the preparation of research proposals, and the writing of research findings. Oversee day-to-day operations of projects.
• May supervise research activities and support personnel.
• Assist in formulating and implementing the short- and long-range goals for the operation of the lab. Project future needs and formulate strategies consistent with projections.
• Key laboratory techniques to be performed will include tissue culture, T lymphocyte culture and stimulation, flow cytometry and cell sorting, PCR, DNA and RNA extractions, ELISA assays, cell purification using beads, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and other molecular studies.
• May perform research in mouse models.
• May develop and implement lab policies and procedures. Manage and coordinate operational policies and procedures. Coordinate with research staff on issues which impact lab functions.
• May act as liaison to other departments, divisions, or organizations.
• Develop, design, and conduct one or more small or moderately complex research projects or experiments in line with plan. Coordinate data collection and screening and verify the data. Review progress and evaluate results.
• Develop protocols and criteria, determine interview procedures, and approve protocols.
• Conduct analyses of data and interpret and implement research methodology based on outcomes of analyses.
• Co-author publications and may co-present results with Principal Investigator at meetings or conferences.
• Provide guidance as requested regarding hiring and training for technical personnel. Supervise, train and instruct residents, interns, students or other staff in lab techniques and procedures.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

For additional information about the position, please contact Craig Slingluff, MD (cls8h@uvahealth.org) or Ileana Mauldin, PhD (is3v@uvahealth.org).

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor's degree. Master’s degree or higher in related fields is preferred.

Experience: 9 years of experience in a lab technician role. May substitute with Master's or Terminal degree plus 4 years of experience in a lab technician role and supervisory experience. 12 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.

Preferred experience and expertise in human cellular immunology, flow cytometry, immunology (especially cancer immunology), murine studies, analysis of gene expression data, programming in R or Python, and molecular analyses.

This position is located in Charlottesville, VA.

This position will remain open until filled. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. The University will perform background checks and pre-employment health screenings on all new hires prior to employment. This is an exempt-level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

How to Apply:

Process for External Applicants: Please apply through Workday , and search for ‘ R0042664’ . Complete an application online and attach a cover letter and CV/resume.

Process for Internal UVA Applicants: Please apply through your Workday Home page, search “Find Jobs,” and search for ‘‘ R0042664’ . Complete an application online and attach a cover letter and CV/resume.

Upload all materials into the resume submission field; multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Recruiter, at sxv9zv@virginia.edu.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community, please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/ .

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visitthe UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpageprior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirementsandguidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.