Researcher and Lab Manager – Hryckowian Lab

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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Terminal (Fixed Term)

Researcher I

The Hryckowian Lab is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Researcher I to serve as the central operational node and technical backbone of the laboratory. This role splits time roughly equally between comprehensive laboratory management (~20 hours/week) and direct bench research assistance (~20 hours/week).

The Hryckowian Lab’s research focuses on understanding how resident microbial communities (microbiomes) act as a "microbial shield" to protect against pathogenic bacterial infections, and how to fortify this barrier in defined ways. By integrating microbial pathogenesis, microbiome science, and bacteriophage (phage) biology, our research program mechanistically interrogates microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions to develop precision, microbiome-informed strategies that combat infection while lessening reliance on traditional antibiotics.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced academic research environment, possesses exceptional organizational skills, and can seamlessly manage multiple competing timelines. As the lab’s operational lead, this individual will oversee routine purchasing, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and biosafety compliance, while also supporting onboarding and supervising personnel. At the bench, the position contributes directly to active research projects that incorporate various techniques in bacterial pathogenesis, microbiome science, and bacteriophage research.

General duties will include (but not limited to):

1. Laboratory Operations & Management (~50%)

• Inventory & Purchasing:
  Manage day-to-day ordering, shipping, and receiving of reagents; maintain inventory; reconcile purchasing card charges.

• Facility & Bench Maintenance:
  Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of shared laboratory spaces, including biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, reagent/gel benches, cold rooms, and specialized equipment (e.g., anaerobic/hypoxic chambers)

• Media & Supply Preparation:
  Manage and execute weekly schedules for media and buffer preparation, dishwashing, autoclaving, and restocking sterile supplies.

• Safety & Compliance:
  Ensure full compliance with university biosafety, chemical safety, and animal safety.

• Personnel Coordination:
  Serve as the primary onboarding facilitator for new lab members and oversee undergraduate student employees.

• Central Communication Hub:
  Maintain regular communication with the Principal Investigator and team members to ensure smooth daily operations and continuous progress.

2. Bench Research & Technical Support (~50%)

• Support experimental workflows involving microbial and eukaryotic model systems.

• Collaboratively analyze experimental data, troubleshoot technical issues, and report findings to the Principal Investigator.

Additional Job Details:

• This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.

• Terminal, 24 month appointment

• This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.

Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration

• Demonstrated track record of prioritizing tasks and managing competing operational timelines in a lab setting

• Assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

• Oversees laboratory facility maintenance, biosafety, and regulatory compliance; schedules and executes routine maintenance for specialized equipment (e.g., anaerobic chambers, freezers, centrifuges) and chemical/biohazard waste disposal.

• Collects and analyzes basic research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures

• Assists with the development of research methodologies and procedures

• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities and assists with publications

• Identifies concerns and recommends solutions to leadership

• Supervises undergraduate student employees and manages overall laboratory scheduling, media/buffer preparation workflows, and daily operational logistics.

• Trains individuals and groups on equipment operations, research protocols, and techniques within a specialized laboratory or research area

• Serves as the central operational node for laboratory purchasing and inventory management; manages supply ordering, maintains stock levels, and reconciles purchasing card transactions.

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hryckowian Lab

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