Research Specialist II

Job Location: 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642

Position
:
Technical Associate – Environmental Medicine

Type: Full Time, Regular, 40 Hours per Week, UR‑Day Shift

Compensation: $27.16 – $38.03 per hour

Provide direct research and teaching support by leading moderate‑complexity research activities in the Susiarjo laboratory.

Conduct and analyze experiments investigating gene‑environment interactions during pregnancy and the effects of endocrine disruptors on maternal and fetal health in mice.

Supervise daily laboratory operations, including planning experiments, overseeing animal handling, and training personnel on animal care, maintenance, and laboratory practices.

Handle laboratory animals, chemicals, and hazardous waste in compliance with institutional and federal regulations.

Serve as lab manager for a Principal Investigator (PI) and work independently to adapt procedures as needed.

Supervise other laboratory staff (junior technical staff, graduate students, undergraduates, and work‑study personnel). 15% supervisory time.

Analyze data, perform appropriate statistical analyses, prepare data summary reports, tables, figures, and recommend future studies. 15% of time.

Assist the PI with writing grants, manuscripts, and literature reviews. 10% of time.

• Maintain and update computerized records for laboratory supplies, animals, and equipment.
• Maintain chemical inventory and ensure compliance with Environmental Health & Safety guidelines.
• Interact with sales representatives on behalf of the PI.
• Oversee hazardous waste disposal record-keeping.
• Ensure laboratory staff comply with federal, state, and university regulations regarding animal use, radioactivity, and safety.

Oversee and maintain rodent colonies: ordering, breeding, and compliance with DLAM and UCAR regulations; prepare and maintain UCAR paperwork; assist in writing approved protocols and SOPs; develop and modify test methods; coordinate with UCAR, USDA, veterinary staff, AAALAC, URMC Pharmacy; prepare for and host inspections.

• Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of related work experience assisting researchers.
• Master’s degree or experience with tissue culture, primary culture, or animal handling is preferred.

• Equipment troubleshooting and repair.
• Basic algebra and scientific notation application.
• Organizational, communication, and attention‑to‑detail skills.
• Microsoft Office proficiency (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
• Operational understanding of complex laboratory equipment (pyrosequencer) and general knowledge of genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology methods.
• Microscopy skills (beneficial).
• Experience managing an academic research laboratory and handling research animals, tissue culture, cell biology, and immunological techniques.
• Independent research experience in DNA methylation, bisulfite pyrosequencing, next‑generation sequencing, and bioinformatics.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

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