Senior Research Assistant & Lab Manager; Plant Resilience Research

Position Summary

We are looking for a talented and enthusiasticresearch assistant to work in the lab of Dr. Sue Rhee, a leader in plant resilienceresearchat Michigan State University (Lansing, MI). The Rhee lab combines computational and experimental approaches to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive strategies in plants ( https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ). The successful candidate willsupportcollaborative projects related to molecular and cell biology and collaborative, international, and transdisciplinaryprojects, in additiontocarryingoutlab management and supervisory duties.

Research activities (45%)

• Oversee and participate in experimental biology research projects in the Rhee labincell and molecularbiology
• Manage microscopes in the lab as well as train and support lab scientists on various cell biology and microscopy techniques including live imaging using confocal microscopy
• Train and support lab members on standard and emergingmolecularbiology techniques and methods
• Develop techniques for collecting, interpreting and analyzing research data
• Collaborate and coordinate experiments with multiple labs and multidisciplinary teams
• Independently conduct experiments
• Maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes
• Write publications
• Present ongoing work to colleagues and conferences
• Participate in grant writing to fund the related projects

Lab management (25%)

• Maintain organization of research material and lab space
• Support general lab operation by negotiating with vendors,placingand receiving orders of supplies and equipment
• Manage lab inventories and record databases
• Maintain lab stock of consumables and reagents including stock monitoring
• Work with the administrative managers to ensure expenses are being appropriately charged to accounts and track expense levels to ensure research expenses stay within awardedgrants
• Set up new instruments and develop user instructions
• Manage and execute equipment maintenance and material repairs/replacement ensuring they are functional and work efficiently
• Develop standard protocols and procedures, make modifications to existing procedures and protocols if needed
• Manage laboratory software and user licenses
• Apply,maintain, and ensure compliance for material transfer agreements (MTA) and permits
• Update calendars, google drive,rosters and email lists
• Take notes and record zoom meetings
• Serve as a point of contact, can receive calls outside routine work hours for labemergenciesand address them
• Assistcoordinators and managers for events

Supervision, hiring, training and mentoring (20%)

• Coordinate mentorship and training for students, research assistants and support staff in basic molecular, cellular, and plant biology techniques
• Assistscientists and provide training and guidance for standard lab procedures
• Provide advice and information on laboratory H&S, riskassessmentsand other control measures as appropriate
• Serve as a technical resource and source of lab knowledge for wet-lab experiments and personnel
• Provide recommendations and guidelines on experimental design, research direction, data analysis,imaging and microscopy work, andassistin brainstorming and planning future research projects
• Foster a creative and diverse research environment
• Write and/or contribute to recommendation letters
• Coordinate wet-lab research projects and personnel within the Rhee lab and center level grants to ensure research milestones are achieved
• Serve as a lab representative for recruiting research personnel
• New hire onboarding
• Train incoming personnel in best practices for recording data, organizing reagents and materials, andmaintainingrecords
• Give general lab and safety induction tonew staff
• Identify the hiring department and college, assigned HR contact, and search committee members
• Draft the job description and coordinate with HR to post the position
• Advertise the position in partnership with the PRI Communications team
• Coordinate and schedule initial and full interviews, including Zoom logistics and candidate communications
• Track applications, evaluations, approvals, and committee feedback throughout the process
• Support HR during the hiring stage, including reference checks, offer preparation, and onboarding coordination
• Supervise support staff, support and maintain probation, interim, and annual evaluation processes, promote training and developmental opportunities

Other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties within this job classification (10%)

This is an off-dated position, with initial assignment for one year from date of hire, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.

The successful candidate should have a demonstrated ability for independent and critical thinking, creativity, strong written/verbal communication, strong interpersonal skills, be able to coordinate between people from diverse fields, and have enthusiasm for learning and mastering new techniques. Additionally, the candidate is expected to help mentor graduate…