UNIV - Staff Scientist I - Department of Medicine: Division of Hematology Oncology

Overview

A position for Staff Scientist I/Lab Manager is open in the laboratory of Dr. Russell W. Jenkins. The successful candidate will oversee lab operations as well as assist in the planning and oversight of research projects that utilize in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro tumor model systems to examine novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The candidate should have extensive experience with in vivo murine tumor models in investigating mechanisms of response and resistance to cancer immunotherapy, and possess knowledge of murine tumor models, cancer cell biology, T cell biology, basic immunology, and cancer immunology.

• 30% - In vivo mouse tumor models
• 20% - Ex vivo and in vitro tumor models
• 20% - Laboratory management
• 10% - Independently troubleshoot technical problems, such as equipment malfunctions and issues in experimental assays.
• 10% - Develop new research directions for the development and evaluation of novel small molecule, large molecule, and cellular therapeutics, and adapt experimental models and methodologies to carry out these investigations.
• 5% - Data analysis and manuscript preparation. Including but not limited to:
  • Graphing and visualization of data with software including Graph Pad Prism, Flow Jo, Snap Gene, Bio Render, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Illustrator
  • Presenting data during lab meetings
  • Preparing publication quality figures; may be involved in writing of manuscripts
  • Efforts will directly contribute to grant applications and manuscripts
• 5% - Assists in the supervision and training of new lab members.

• Together with the PI, assist with management of laboratory staff, including training, scheduling (lab meetings), and performance evaluations.
• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, including maintenance of equipment, inventory management, and ordering supplies.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory requirements in the laboratory.
• Collaborate with principal investigators and research teams to facilitate project execution and data collection.
• Assist in the development and implementation of research protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Monitor and maintain laboratory budgets and expenditures.
• Facilitate communication between laboratory personnel and administrative staff.
• Participate in grant writing and provide administrative support for research projects.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments utilizing mouse models to study cancer progression and treatment responses, including tumor implantation, monitoring, and endpoint analysis for efficacy (tumor volume, survival) and correlative (immunophenotyping, single cell RNA‑sequencing) studies using established and novel mouse models of cancer.
• Develop and validate new mouse cancer models to investigate specific tumor types and therapeutic strategies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including molecular biologists, biochemists, and clinical researchers, to support translational research efforts.
• Manage and care for the mouse colony, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and institutional animal care regulations.
• Document and present research findings in internal meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Assist in mentoring junior scientists and students in laboratory techniques and research methodologies.
• Stay current with advancements in cancer biology and laboratory technologies, including but limited to:
  • Ex vivo 3D microfluidic culture, drug/antibody treatment of murine- and patient-derived organotypic tumor spheroids (MDOTS/PDOTS) and cell line derived monotypic tumor spheroids (MTS)
  • Perform requisite fluorescence-based viability assessment of MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS, including staining, microscope operation, image acquisition and image analysis
  • Maintain internal records related to MDOTS, PDOTS, and MTS processing along with associated meta-data
• English language fluency
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as member of a team
• Previous experience working with patient‑tumor tissue is ideal, but not essential.
• Supervising up to three technicians.

A PhD with 2 years post-doctorate experience.

• Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent)
• Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent)
• Ability to work indoors. (Continuous)
• Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent)
• Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent)
• Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent)
• Ability to perform ‘pinching’ operations. (Continuous)
• Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous)
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous)
• Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous)
• Ability to reach in all directions.…