Research Lab Manager 2

Department: WCAS Chemistry
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

A center for global excellence in undergraduate and graduate education and research, Northwestern's Department of Chemistry seeks a self-directed manager of daily operations of a research lab. The Research Lab Manager supports the day-to-day research operations for a Chemistry laboratory, ensuring the smooth functioning of the labs and a positive experience for all group members.

This is a full-time, one year term position working 100% onsite five days per week. The target hiring range for this position will be between $70,017- $98,462 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is subject to renewal dependent on performance and available funding.

Specific Responsibilities:

Provides complex scientific and technical leadership in determining research priorities and the plan, design and execution of research projects ensuring that programs of investigation meets specified objectives. Plans, develops and implements new experiments and protocols to support research studies and maximize/extend lab capabilities. Sets-up and troubleshoots custom protocols and conducts independent research techniques, procedures and experiments. Co-authors scientific papers for presentation and publication. May manage lab employees, and develop and administer budgets, grants, and/or administrative procedures. Ensures adherence to all associated rules and regulations.

This position will support a team of researchers involved in drug discovery research. The preparation of reagents for CRISPR/Cas9 screening, cell culture, flow cytometry and preparation of engineered cell lines will be routine aspects of the position.

• Consults with and advises Principal Investigators (PI) in identifying and defining problems that can be resolved with scientific research.
• Develops hypotheses to be tested, methodology for evaluating results, and devices for use in empirical studies, including hardware, software and statistical methods as necessary.
• Organizes and plans experiments in conjunction with PI.
• Establishes control methods, techniques and procedures as required for specific projects and research studies.
• Guides lab staff in conducting research.
• Regularly reviews scientific literature and evaluates and recommends state-of-the-art/cutting-edge applicable techniques and procedures.
• Using an expert level of skill, completes the following activities (please highlight):

Molecular Biology:

• DNA, RNA, Protein isolation, purification and expression
• Western blotting
• Plasmid preparation
• Cloning, mapping and sequencing of DNA
• Recombinant virus production and purification

Cellular Biology:

• Cell culture, cell isolation
• Transfection

Histology:

• Immunohistochemistry

Immunology:

• Flow cytometry
• ELISA
• Cytokine assay

Administration

• Analyzes, evaluates and interprets data to determine relevance to research.
• Prepares results and co-authors scientific papers for presentation and publication.
• Disseminates information via seminars, lectures, etc.
• Creates data for use in grant submission and develop new proposals for research including obtaining financial support.
• Identifies and/or acquires new equipment and/or facilities.
• Acts as liaison between sponsoring agencies, collaborating organizations and/or other research and/or educational institutions.
• Ensures adherence to all current local, state, and federal regulatory requirements, laws and research protocols, and oversees all required filings, approvals, documentation and reports.

Finance

• Creates and/or manages research budget which may include deciding on and approving expenditures of funds based on budget.
• Monitors accounts.
• Negotiates prices and specifications with vendors.
• Purchases supplies, materials, equipment and services.
• Ensures appropriate allocation and compliance.

Supervision

• Trains, directs, assigns duties to & may supervise lab EEs, students, residents &/or fellows.
• Provides instruction to lab users on technically complex procedures, equipment & instruments.
• Typically manages a lab budget of $2,000,000+; 2,500+ nasf of space & supervises 12+ lab members.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 8 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 6 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience.
• Supervisory or project management experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10 years of research experience preferred

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Culturing and maintaining mammalian cells
• Bacteria transformation and cloning
• Maintenance of monoclonal genetically edited cell populations
• Standard biochemical assays such as western blotting and PCR
• Packaging screening libraries into lentivirus
• Lentivirus production and mammalian cells transfection
• Scientific computer use and data analysis

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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