Research Lab Specialist Assoc

Details

Posted: 18-Mar-24

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Salary: Open

Categories:

Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 236272

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan is seeking applications for a Research Laboratory Specialist Associate under the guidance of Professor Zhongming Liu. This position offers an exciting opportunity to join a multi-disciplinary and collaborative team on using multimodal technologies to study brain-body interactions in both animal and human subjects.

The primary goals of our research are to map and characterize the functional neural circuits that underlie dynamic and bi-directional communications between the brain and visceral organs, such as the gut, heart, and lung, and to further investigate how brain-body interactions influence cognition and emotion. To achieve these goals, we employ a wide range of experimental and computational techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neurophysiology, neural tracing, chemogenetics, immunohistochemistry, gastric electrical stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and behavioral training and assessment, as well as advanced methods in signal processing, image processing, machine learning, and biophysical modeling. 

Facilities, Resource, Environment

Our research team benefits from excellent facilities and resources to support cutting-edge investigations. We have direct access to three MRI systems dedicated to research purposes, including two 3-Tesla MRI systems for human studies and one 7-Tesla MRI system specifically for small animal research.

Within our lab, we have established capabilities for human electroencephalography (EEG) and physiological recordings, including electrogastrogram (EGG), electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration, skin conductance, eye tracking, and pupillometry. For small-animal studies, we have dedicated wet-lab spaces equipped for brain and abdominal surgical procedures, high-density neurophysiology, behavioral assessments, histology, contrast agents, and device fabrication.

To support our computational needs, we have in-house high-performance computing platforms. Additionally, we have access to institutionally supported community clusters, providing us with extensive computational resources for data processing and analysis.

As a Research Lab Specialist Associate, you will be immersed in a vibrant and collaborative research environment. Our team consists of established MRI scientists, neuroscientists, physiologists, engineers, and gastroenterologists, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and knowledge exchange. This research-active environment offers valuable opportunities for engaging in collaborative projects and benefiting from a diverse range of expertise. 

As a Research Laboratory Specialist, your responsibilities will involve conducting animal and human experiments and assisting data analysis and reporting, including but not limited to the following:
Assist team of researchers with collection, processing, and analysis of rat specimens for laboratory research. 
Assist laboratory staff in completion of rat experiments including surgeries, neurophysiological recordings, imaging, drug administration, blood collection, weights, surgical assistance, dissection and organ harvesting, tissue fixation, cryosectioning and immunohistochemistry, centrifugation and ELISA. 
Management and organization of laboratory samples and data.
Assist laboratory staff with daily lab tasks such as animal monitoring, sample labeling, and organization.
Follow SOPs to make buffers, weigh chemicals accurately and safely, follow good safety practices and dispose of hazardous materials appropriately (with the help of lab manager).  
Travel around campus to accomplish tasks either by personal vehicle or research shuttle.  

 

Bachelors degree or B.Eng in engineering, neuroscience, or physiology. 
Written communication abilities and interpersonal skills. 

Prior experience in animal studies is desirable, but not required.
Prior experience in signal processing and analysis is desirable, but not required.
 

The Michigan Engineering Office of Biomedical Engineering operates in a hybrid work environment consisting of both in-person and remote work. This position will be classified as a ON-SITE position within the Michigan Engineering STARR classification matrix which means working on campus 4-5 days per week and working remotely the rest of the week. You can find more information here: https://rpm.engin.umich.edu/human-resources/telecommuting/
 

**Note:  This is a one year term-limited position with the possibility of extension based on need and funding.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

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

 

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About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.
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