Staff Scientist, Center for Translational Medicine

Updated: 22 days ago
Location: Missoula, MONTANA
Job Type: FullTime

Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College.  Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.

The Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Montana, Missoula MT, is seeking two Staff Scientists to join the collaborative lab of Drs. Blair DeBuysscher and Jay Evans. Be a part of our interactive and multidisciplinary research team dedicated to pioneering the discovery and development of innovative vaccines. Our focus spans a wide spectrum of diseases affecting human health, including COVID-19, monkeypox, Lyme disease, influenza virus, tuberculosis, pertussis, and opioid addiction. Additionally, we study the molecular intricacies of host-pathogen interactions, vaccine-mediated immunity, and their impact on immunopathology and immune-mediated protection.

This is an exciting opportunity to become a valued member of a multidisciplinary vaccine research team. We boast robust funding and extensive connections within academia and industry, offering an environment conducive to impactful discoveries. We are seeking highly motivated candidates equipped with a strong working knowledge of immunology, molecular biology, and/or cell biology laboratory techniques. Proficiency in animal handling and mouse models is highly desirable. Candidates with experience in performing ELISAs, flow cytometry, and cell culture will be favorably considered. Additionally, familiarity with molecular biology and/or bioinformatics is a welcomed asset.

Embark on an extraordinary journey and become a part of our team of creative and forward-thinking scientists in beautiful Montana. Nestled amidst stunning landscapes, our research environment offers not only groundbreaking scientific opportunities but also an unparalleled quality of life. Montana's breathtaking scenery and abundance of outdoor activities provide the perfect backdrop for cultivating fresh ideas and fostering innovation.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its essential values of innovation and creativity, impact, openness, and partnership.


Position Details:
  • Based on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications, the position may be hired at the assistant, associate, scientist or senior scientist level.
  • Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
  • Starting salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications.

Required Qualifications and Responsibilities for each level:

Assistant Scientist:

  • Bachelor of Science and less than five (5) years of applicable lab experience. 
  • Designs and executes a laboratory experiments with supervision.
  • Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills and accurate record keeping skills.
  • Performs some data management and analysis. 
  • Effectively communicates relevant scientific information to manager and colleagues.

Associate Scientist:

  • Bachelor of Science and greater than five (5) years of applicable lab experience or Master’s of Science and less than two (2) years of relevant lab experience. 
  • Designs and executes a laboratory experiments with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and accurate record keeping skills.
  • The ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines across multiple projects.
  • Performs data management and analysis with minimum oversight. 
  • Effectively communicates relevant scientific information to manager and colleagues.
  • Reviews scientific literature and recommends new technologies or ideas to colleagues or manager.
  • Demonstrates competence with multiple laboratory systems and methods.

Research Scientist:

  • Bachelor of Science and greater than ten (10) years of applicable lab experience or Master’s of Science and greater than five (5) years lab experience. 
  • Designs and executes a wide range of experiments with minimal or no supervision.
  • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and accurate record keeping skills.
  • The ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines across multiple projects.
  • Effectively reviews scientific literature independently and implements new technologies and assay systems into laboratory.
  • Performs complex data management and analysis with minimum oversight.
  • Prepares detailed and accurate verbal or written summaries of results with interpretation for manager and/or project teams.
  • Presents effectively at internal research group meetings.
  • Responsible for effectively sharing relevant scientific information with manager and colleagues.
  • Coordination of the efforts with technical and scientific staff to achieve project objectives and milestones.
  • Technical expert on one or more laboratory systems.

Senior Scientist:

  • Bachelor of Science and greater than fifteen (15) years of applicable lab experience or Master’s of Science and greater than ten (10) years lab experience.
  • Has theoretical, practical and technical scientific knowledge of an early career PhD scientist with exceptional technical competencies.
  • Oversee day-to-day operations in laboratory including personnel and project management. Effectively manages laboratory technical staff.
  • Designs and executes a wide range of experiments independently and proactively incorporates new technologies into practice with minimal or no supervision.
  • Performs complex data management and analysis with minimum or no oversight. 
  • Prepares detailed verbal or written summaries of results with interpretation for manager and/or project teams.
  • Writes specific technical sections of internal and external reports with limited supervision.
  • Assists in grant and manuscript writing with limited input from supervisor.
  • Presents effectively to internal and external meetings.
  • Responsible for sharing relevant scientific information from internal and external meetings with appropriate colleagues.
  • Established networking skills through interactions with scientists outside of primary project roles.
  • Initiates coordination of the efforts of technical and scientific staff to achieve project objectives, and milestones.
  • Trains incoming and/or junior scientists on instrumentation and methods

About UM :

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 500+ full-time faculty members. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 70,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th  in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America ” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment. In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).


How to Apply:

Priority Application Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2023by 11:59 pm (MST)

Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration, and the position will remain open until filled. Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/  for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College.  Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com

Please submit the following application materials via "New Resume/CV" button below. 

  • Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
  • Detailed CV listing education and describing work experience
  • Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Missoula, Montana, United States