Scientific Manager/Research Lab Specialist Senior - University of Michigan

Postdoctoral

A PhD level scientist is needed to help launch the Single Cell Spatial Analysis Program.   https://biosciences.umich.edu/scientific-initiatives/rfa-awardees/  This is a program that is funded by the Biosciences Initiative.  

Interviews will begin soon, and applications may be submitted here:

https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/194149/scientific_managerresearch_lab_specialist_senior

 

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced scientist to join our newly formed Single Cell Spatial Analysis Program (SCSAP). The SCSAP is a Biosciences Initiative-funded program with the goal of enhancing single cell and spatial analysis research at the University of Michigan, where “spatial analysis” refers to the acquisition of high throughput, multi-faceted RNA, protein and DNA-level data in intact tissues, and their application to basic and translational research problems. The Scientific Manager’s primary role will be to advance the scientific goals of the SCSAP through the direction and support of program members and their research. The Scientific Manager position demands a PhD level scientific skill and experience and offers substantial opportunities for meaningful and active participation in an exciting new research area.

Responsibilities

Initially, this position will facilitate the ability of SCSAP members to perform single cell and spatial analysis research through consultation, participation, and project management by integrating the use of the many cores that offer single cell and spatial analysis-related services (50%). Additionally, this position will perform scientific and other activities that directly enhance the SCSAP (50%). These job activities will transition over several years as the incumbent gains expertise and demonstrates an ability to perform higher level programmatic-related tasks, with an anticipation of core service support at 30-40% and scientific and programmatic activity at 60-70%.

This position will be supervised by and directly report to the SCSAP director, with additional direction by the SCSAP leadership. The Scientific Manager will establish a close working relationship with core managers that perform services related to single cell and spatial analysis, with particular emphasis on the Advance Genomics Core, Rogel Cancer Center Single Cell Analysis and Data Resources, Bioinformatics Core, Pathology Core and Immune Phenotyping core. This person will be housed in North Campus Research Complex but will offer consult hours to individuals from across all Michigan campuses.

Specific required activities and skills include:

Project management:

  • Serve as concierge to help guide spatial analysis project planning
  • Identify appropriate core services to address client’s needs
  • Manage execution of project plans, including meeting logistics, authoring of minutes, assigning action items and tracking internal and external deliverables
  • Keep clients up to date regarding the timeline and of projects
  • Proactively identify issues and find solutions
  • Develop contingency and troubleshooting plans as needed
  • Leverage scientific training, problem solving abilities, and communication skills to provide project management excellence. Participate in project single cell and spatial data analysis, including by direction participation, collaboration with core facilities and interactions other SCSAP employees

Scientific direction:

  • Maintain a broad view of the single cell / spatial analysis field and support leadership and members in understanding and using it
  • Keep abreast of new areas and methods
  • Serve as a scientific resource and consultant with expertise in the single cell / spatial analysis field
  • Communicate with newly hired and current faculty members regarding their new developments in the field so that they can be optimally shared? Be willing and able to deal with different disciplines and to continually familiarize oneself with new aspects
  • Keep abreast of the the research landscape in spatial analysis and provide summary reports to leadership.

Outreach:

  • Answer questions on a day-to-day basis regarding the program and its science
  • Communicate spatial analysis science to lay people and donors via websites
  • Ensure scientific content on website is current and accurate

Grant procurement assistance:

  • Advise SCSAP leadership on identifying and pursuing funding opportunities
  • Assist SCSAP leaders and members with technical and logistical aspects of grants, including technical and administrative aspects of equipment grant and methods, approaches and interpretation for research grants

Writing and Reporting:

  • Write, edit and format various scientific pieces and deliverables: including: slides decks, abstracts/posters/manuscripts and educational materials
  • Gather scientific data for reports including review of scientific documents
  • Help write review or methodology aspects of published works
  • Provide needed data to leadership for decision making, including participating in regular meetings where program activities are reported to leadership
  • Evaluate interim reports for SCSAP-funded pilot projects

Assay development assistance:

  • Facilitate activation of new spatial analysis technologies in cores, including vendor solicitations and onboarding
  • Testing new core assays as a test client (e.g., providing samples and scientific input)
  • Identify potential new assays from UM investigators and commercial vendors

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in biomedical sciences and at least 5 years of related experiece with 2 years of postgraduate practical research experience in genomics or tissue biology.
  • Demonstrated record of scientific publication commensurate with experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in a field dependent on high volume data analysis.
  • Highly motivated and organized, with excellent multi-tasking ability and attention to detail.
  • Must be able to work independently and as part of a research team. Outstanding oral and written communication skills

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with single-cell biology and/or spatial biology methodology and analysis.
  • Practical experience with tissue handling, histology or pathology.
  • Practical experience with both wet lab and computational analysis in genomics.
  • Publication record in fields directly relevant to spatial analysis.
  • Past experience serving in a research core facility.