Laboratory Research Professional, Open Rank (Intermediate-Principal

University of Colorado Anschutz Department:
Orthopedics

Job Title:

Laboratory Research Professional, Open Rank(Intermediate-Principal) Position #:  

– Requisition #:40782

Job Summary:

The Burger laboratory in the Colorado Program for Musculoskeletal Research, within the Department of Orthopedics, is seeking to fillthe position of a Research Lead for research relating to vertebratenotochord and intervertebral disc development and disease. In the Burger lab, we are interested in early vertebrate development ofthe axial and lateral plate mesoderm using zebrafish and mice asmodels, as well as associated structural birth defects, such asspina bifida, or defects affecting the heart/blood/bone/kidney.

Weare further interested in how the axial mesoderm develops into theintervertebral discs, and associated underlying molecularmechanisms, as well as intervertebral disc disease, such as IVDdegeneration. This position is expected to be the research lead for several ongoing projects, including design of experimental setup,data generation, and data interpretation.

• Collaborate with and support Principal Investigators (PI) andother stakeholders with laboratory and research functions
• Utilize a variety of laboratory techniques required for research projects
• Independently and creatively identify laboratorysolutions
• Independently Review, develop and implement new or modifiedlaboratory techniques required for research projects
• Assist Team Leads, Supervisors and/or management with creationand implementation of processes and procedures and quality improvement initiatives
• Assist and train junior team members.

• Assist with developing or develop protocol-specific systems and documents including process flows, training manuals, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Maintains subject level documentation and prepares documents, equipment and/or supplies
• Assist with identifying issues related to operational efficiency and shares results with leadership
• Provide laboratory science expertise and leadership in study design, study oversight, data management, data analysis andmanuscript preparation to assist all levels of investigators,researchers and clinicians on new research activities across a widerange of disciplines
• Serve as a resource to PIs and other stakeholders

• Oversee and provide informal leadership to the team membersincluding managing day-to-day priorities, evaluating andredistributing workloads on a temporary basis, and mentoring staff
• Provide input and feedback to leadership on team membersoverall performance, performance evaluations, opportunities for development, and process improvement initiatives
• Identify training and development opportunities for new and existing team members
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert and authority in the area(s) ofzebrafish laboratory work and development of the spine.

• Conducting molecular biology experiments, such as, but not limited to: PCR, gateway cloning
• restriction digest and T4 ligation, Sanger sequencing ofplasmid vectors, RNA work, e.g. CRISPR guide RNA generation, mRNAgeneration, immunohistochemistry/fluorescence, Western blotting,RNA and genomic DNA collection from zebrafish for RNAseq andATACseq experiments
• Work and maintain different zebrafish mutant and transgenicstrains; including zebrafish husbandry and breeding, embryocollection, genotyping, micro-injection, microscopy of zebrafishembryos, etc.
• Zebrafish skeletal and non-skeletal tissue harvest forhistological analysis, including embedding, sectioning and imaging,and for RNA and genomic DNA isolation

• Ordering consumables and materials, etc.
• Maintaining laboratory area and equipment in working and cleancondition
• Contributing to animal protocol writing
• Handling EHS requirements
• Overseeing training from junior lab members
• Managing internal and external collaborations with key stakeholders
• Presentation of research findings, e.g. at department internalmeetings, national and international scientific meetings
• Additional responsibilities…