Senior Research Specialist

Senior Research Specialist

Hiring Department: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Salary: $43,888 - $60,000 annually (competitive, based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits include Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers.

The Senior Research Specialist will contribute to the delivery of research projects, including the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of experiments designed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the macro- and micro-autophagy pathways in yeast and human cells. Additionally, the Specialist will perform general laboratory management tasks.

• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and other researchers to design and develop research projects.
• Conduct experiments, including complex data collection, evaluation and interpretation.
• Test, optimize and implement both new and existing methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Develop, write and maintain comprehensive laboratory protocols and records of experimental results.
• Aid in the preparation and implementation of general laboratory maintenance protocols (e.g., safety, training, waste management, animals).
• Prepare results and assist in the writing of research findings for publications, papers, presentations, grants and other documents.
• Assist the Principal Investigator in grant and manuscript submission.
• Guide, train, advise and assist researchers and students on protocols and techniques as necessary.
• Coordinate appropriate general laboratory training of research personnel to ensure compliance.
• Provide oversight on record keeping for experimental protocols and results.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in science or related field required;
  Master’s degree in science preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years research experience in yeast and human cells.
• Competence with software for data analysis, quantification and presentation formats (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Prism, End Note, Photoshop, Image Studio), writing macros for Image
  
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• Methodical, with strong communication, organizational and record-keeping skills.

• Experience in constructing plasmids for yeast and human cells and creating yeast strains with gene knockouts and gene tagging, performing basic molecular biology and biochemistry experiments (e.g., western blotting, protein phosphorylation, ELISA, qPCR). Highly valued.
• Experience in basic fluorescence microscopy analysis beneficial.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Artificial Intelligence tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.