Research Lab Manager 1

Department: WCAS Chemistry
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary

A center for global excellence in undergraduate and graduate education and research, Northwestern's Department of Chemistry seeks a self-directed manager of daily operations of a research lab. The Research Lab Manager supports the day-to-day research operations for a Chemistry laboratory, ensuring the smooth functioning of the labs and a positive experience for all group members.

Specific Responsibilities: Monitors lab performance, analyzes and reviews results, and supervises development and implementation of new protocols. Assigns work and supervises lab personnel and reviews technical operations ensuring that all processes, protocols and procedures are quality controlled and functioning up to standards. Develops implements and administers budgets, grant and administrative procedures. Co-authors scientific papers for presentation and publication and coordinates writing, submission and administration of grants.

This position will support a team of researchers involved in drug discovery research. The preparation of reagents for CRISPR/Cas9 screening, cell culture, flow cytometry and preparation of engineered cell lines will be routine aspects of the position.

This is a full-time, one year term position working 100% onsite five days per week. The target hiring range for this position will be between $56,782 - $79,850 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is subject to renewal dependent on performance and available funding.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Manages technical operations of a lab involved in scientific research activities.
• In consultation with Principal Investigator (PI) organizes and plans experiments ensuring those project objectives are attained.
• Oversees and guides lab staff in review of results and recommendation of changes to protocols to improve validity and accuracy.
• Conducts more complex experiments and analysis.
• Using an advanced level of skill, completes the following activities (please highlight):

Molecular Biology:

• DNA, RNA, Protein isolation, purification and expression
• Southern, Northern, Western blotting
• PCR, RT-PCR
• Plasmid preparation
• Cloning, mapping and sequencing of DNA
• Recombinant virus production and purification

Cellular Biology:

• Cell culture, cell isolation
• Transfection

Histology:

• Immunohistochemistry
• ELISA
• Cytokine assay

Administration

• Oversees and manages collection, maintenance, analysis and evaluation of data that will be used in grant submissions, presentations and publications.
• Ensures that information is entered correctly into databases.
• Assists PI in reviewing, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, formatting, editing, and preparing tables, charts, graphs, progress and final reports, etc.
• Coordinates between sponsoring agencies, collaboration organizations and/or other research and/or educational institutions.
• Ensures research regulations are adhered to, IRB and ACUC approvals in place, material transfer agreements properly executed, and that radiation and lab safety requirements are up to date and implemented.

Finance

• Manages lab budget and inventory including purchasing of supplies and services ensuring that they are necessary, reasonable and project related.
• Orders and maintains inventory of lab supplies, chemicals, equipment and instrumentation and may distribute intra-departmental charges.
• Negotiates with vendors, obtain quotes and arrange for demos of large equipment.

Miscellaneous

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 6 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 4 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience.
• Supervisory or project management experience required.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• At least 5 years of research experience but closer to 10 years preferred

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Culturing and maintaining mammalian cells
• Bacteria transformation and cloning
• Maintenance of monoclonal genetically edited cell populations
• Standard biochemical assays such as western blotting and PCR
• Packaging screening libraries into lentivirus
• Lentivirus production and mammalian cells transfection
• Scientific computer use and data analysis

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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