Research Associate, Research Scientist, Clinical Research

Position Overview

Research Associate 2,  – The Research Associate 2 provides day‑to‑day operational leadership for the UConn Health Biomechanics Lab within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Institute. This position combines hands‑on biomechanical testing with laboratory management, safety oversight, educational programming support, and research collaboration.

Receives general supervision from the Director of Clinical Research (HR) and scientific & strategic direction from the Clinical/Faculty Lab Director.

Leads research assistants or other staff members of lower rank, as assigned.

• Plans unit workload and determines priorities.
• Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews work.
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures.
• Provides staff training and assistance.
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations.
• Acts as liaison with operating units, agencies, and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures.
• May make recommendations on policies or standards.
• May prepare reports and correspondence.
• Designs and performs experiments and discusses concepts and results.
• Assists in writing scientific publications and grants.
• Develops and manages databases.
• May be responsible for budget preparation on grants.
• May perform laboratory maintenance.
• May train fellows, medical/dental students, postdocs in relevant research techniques.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of relevant research protocols, principles, procedures, and advanced scientific techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of experimental design, mathematics, statistics, computer applications, and laboratory equipment/procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of a relevant science such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, or pharmacology.
• Knowledge of physical and data resources in applicable research disciplines.
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to identify, produce, quantify, organize, analyze, evaluate, interpret, and report data.
• Supervisory ability.

• Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomechanics, or a closely related field, plus three (3) years of experience in biomechanical testing, biomedical engineering research, or related laboratory operations.
• Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of appropriate research experience in biomechanical testing, biomedical engineering research, or related laboratory operations (substitutions allowed).
• One (1) year of the general experience must have been at a level equivalent to the Research Associate 1.

• Five (5) or more years of experience in a biomechanics or biomedical engineering laboratory, preferably in an academic medical center or orthopaedic research setting.
• Prior supervisory or lab management experience.
• Experience contributing to peer‑reviewed publications and/or grant applications.
• Familiarity with orthopaedic surgical instrumentation and bioskills training environments.
• Experience with industry‑sponsored research and vendor management.

• Incumbents may be required to travel.
• Incumbents may be required to undergo periodic tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.

• Incumbents may occasionally be required to lift standard laboratory equipment or supplies.
• Possible exposure to toxic vapors, radioactive materials, and/or disease‑bearing substances.
• Possible exposure to moderately disagreeable conditions.

This position is full‑time, 40 hours per week. The hours will be determined by the department and laboratory needs. Some evening and weekend availability may be required to support bioskills events and time‑sensitive biomechanical testing.

The University of Connecticut Health Center is an affirmative action employer, as well as an EEO and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer.