Research Specialist; Caton

Position: Research Specialist (Caton)
This position provides critical research support for the nutrition research program within the Department of Animal Sciences  successful applicant will contribute to all aspects of the supervisor's, nutrition groups, and the broader Animal Science's research programs as time and expertise allow. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

* Contribute to experimental design, project planning, research activities, and scheduling and coordination of research projects.

* Participate in grantsmanship activities including strategic planning sessions, group discussions, grant document preparation, and serving in Co-PI and Collaborator roles.

* Contribute to, manage, coordinate, and lead sample collection activities, including maintaining up-to-date collection, cataloging, and archiving protocols for samples and data associated with research projects.

* Contribute to writing and preparation of abstracts, research reports, and refereed manuscripts.

* Contribute and coordinate paperwork associated with regulatory compliance, including required training activities, grant reporting, IACUC protocols, Animal Facility use protocols, occupational health and safety risk assessment files, an up-to-date chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other documents as necessary.

* Coordinate and communicate effectively with other team members and collaborators, including departmental, state, regional, national, and international collaborators.

* Organize and manage animal science and omics datasets; conduct statistical analyses using R, SAS, and other relevant software; summarize results in tables and figures; and collaborate with the supervisor and research team to interpret findings and prepare data for publication.

* Organize and coordinate sample storage, processing, packaging, and shipping to collaborators and contract analytical labs.

* Engage in training and professional development opportunities to expand expertise in critical areas of research need.

The successful candidate will also coordinate, and lead laboratory activities associated with the supervisor's and collaborators' research program. Responsibilities in this area include, but are not limited to:

* Oversee and manage the laboratory associated with the supervisor's and collaborators' research programs.

* Order, organize, and maintain equipment, supplies, and materials needed to support the supervisor's research program.

* Conduct a diverse array of laboratory analyses that are integral to the supervisor's research program; including but not limited to ELISA, PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, sample preparation for assays, including multi-omic approaches, Immulite based assays including Folate, vitamin B12, and other metabolites and hormones, Seahorse based assays and other laboratory analyses.

* Develop and validate new analytical techniques and approaches as needed to support the supervisor's research program.

* Train undergraduate research students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, visiting scientists, and other staff as needed on current laboratory and sample collection techniques.

* Ensure quality control and repeatability of analytical data from the laboratory.

* Maintain documented up-to-date analytical procedures.

* Organize laboratory workflow and coordinate all activities within the laboratory.

* Maintain instrumentation for optimal performance and advise the supervisor regarding equipment needs to meet research and analytical objectives. Coordinate and maintain collection and analytical supplies needed for activities.

* Organize and coordinate expenses, costs, and billing associated with analytical activities.

* Supervise and mentor students working within the laboratory and additional employees when and if hired.

Minimum Qualifications:

* M.S. in Animal Science or related field

* Documented relevant laboratory and project management experience

* 2+ years of experience with current and relevant laboratory analyses

* 2+ years of experience with sample collection in large animal research

* 2+ years of experience with project and laboratory management and personnel training

* Experience with scientific writing in the field of animal science

* Experience with working with and statistically analyzing animal science data sets

* Desire and ability to work on an advanced (PhD) degree

Preferred Qualifications:

* PhD in animal science or related field

* Documented grantsmanship experience

* Documented record of publishing in the scientific literature

* 5+ years of relevant project and/or laboratory management and personnel training/mentoring experience

* 5+ years of data analysis experience

Hiring Range: $47,000 - $60,000

Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities,

education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.

Applicant Materials

Required:

Resume;
Cover letter;
Unofficial Transcript

Special Instruction to Applicants:
The cover letter should include the names, emails, addresses and phone numbers of…