Lab Specialist Intermediate

Position Summary

The University of Virginia’s Department of Ophthalmology seeks a Laboratory Specialist Intermediate to join the laboratory of Dr. Zhou. The successful candidate will manage the animal colony, oversee compliance with animal welfare protocols, support daily laboratory operations, and coordinate research projects and postdoctoral staff.

• Help Principal Investigators coordinate research projects, perform experimental procedures, collect information and data, and prepare tissues and specimens.
• Manage the animal colony: oversee breeding, husbandry, genotyping, receiving, transferring, and handling; write animal welfare protocols and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Communicate with veterinary staff, postdocs, students, and PIs to meet research‑animal requirements.
• Manage 1–3 support staff who assist with animal colony tasks and general lab maintenance.
• Oversee day‑to‑day project operations.
• Schedule and maintain records of equipment and facilities.
• Operate specialized labs or research areas within departments and coordinate related data analyses.
• Assemble, test, calibrate, clean, and make minor repairs to equipment.
• Train users in equipment operation and research techniques; explain technology capabilities, operations, limitations, and outcomes.
• Determine interview procedures, conduct interviews, and assist with visa processing for new and current staff.
• Collect data and analyze research results independently.
• Confer with PIs to develop plans for research projects, interpret results, and prepare scientific manuscripts for publication.
• Supervise research support personnel, orient/train new staff, and complete on‑/off‑boarding procedures.
• Manage budgets and oversee first‑line system processes required by Workday Finance, including account certifications, payroll adjustments, and expense reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience:
  
  3+ years of relevant experience.

This position requires frequent standing and squatting during experiments or animal care, keyboarding, bench work, and fine‑finger manipulation for animal procedures.

The anticipated hiring range is $50,949–$57,318, commensurate with education and experience.

• This is an exempt‑level, benefited position.
• This is a restricted position dependent on funding.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA and must be performed fully on‑site.

The University of Virginia is an equal‑opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.