Metabolomics Core Team Lead

About The Department

The Duchossois Family Institute (DFI) was established in 2017 with the goal of enhancing human health by investigating the microbiome and its impact on the immune system. The microbiome consists of complex populations of microbes that can be characterized using a multi-omic approach. In the DFI Microbiome Metabolomics facility (DFIMM), we use mass spectrometry-based methods to analyze metabolites with targeted and untargeted methods.

We aim to support the understanding of how these molecules function in microbe‑microbe and host‑microbe interactions. Scientists in the DFI metabolomics laboratory work as a team to analyze DFI, UChicago laboratories and external laboratory projects.

The Metabolomics Core Team Lead in the Duchossois Family Institute Microbiome Metabolomics (DFIMM) facility at the University of Chicago will manage the day‑to‑day core workflow for targeted metabolomic projects and long‑term quality control processes. Responsibilities include project status management, sample processing, instrumentation assessment and maintenance, laboratory safety assessment, waste management, routine equipment maintenance, data analysis and quality control from gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC‑ and LC‑MS) instrumentation for targeted projects, and long‑term collaboration with the Director to ensure high quality control on all targeted and untargeted metabolomic projects.

• Manage daily maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and instruments, including chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, liquid handlers, freezers, refrigerators, scales, water purifiers, and tube writers.
• Oversee short‑term and long‑term procurement of laboratory supplies such as authentic standards, solvents, and columns.
• Develop, implement, and maintain waste management plans for reagents, solvents, and other laboratory materials.
• Prepare and validate extraction solvents for use in targeted and untargeted analytical pipelines.
• Audit the project submission pipeline (LIMS) and collaborate with the Platform Director to prioritize and schedule project analyses.
• Perform analysis of quantitative and normalized relative abundance data for targeted projects using GC and LC‑based methodologies.
• Provide supervisory leadership, including training and mentoring laboratory staff, assisting in the development of laboratory policies and procedures, and conducting risk assessments and risk management.
• Use subject matter knowledge to perform laboratory and research‑related duties and tasks, and work independently to assist with project design.
• Solve complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to project needs, and making significant contributions to methodology.
• Guide data collection, evaluation, and analysis, design and manage databases, and write reports, articles, and manuscripts.
• Present research findings at meetings and conferences, conduct literature reviews, and develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups, agencies, and the public.
• Perform other related work as needed.

• College degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, biology, or related field.

College or university degree in a related field.

• 5–7 years of work experience in a related discipline.
• Experience managing LC‑MS instrumentation.
• Successfully led targeted and/or untargeted data analysis projects.
• Proficiency in developing quantitative measurements of small molecules using liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometers.
• Skill in designing and executing targeted metabolomic analyses utilizing mass spectrometry.
• Experience troubleshooting LC/GC‑MS systems to ensure optimal performance and data quality.
• Familiarity with supporting infrastructure, including nitrogen generators, LIMS system, and liquid handlers.
• Experience in untargeted metabolomics, including feature list generation and validation of fragmentation profiles.

• Demonstrated excellence in…