Job Details

Lab Specialist

Job Summary

Job Summary:
The Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine has an immediate opening for a Lab Specialist.  This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in the research lab setting.  Position is responsible for independently performing all necessary tasks related to the rat model (including but not limited to animal husbandry, administration of the special diet, injection of the study agent(s), performance of specialized surgeries and monitoring animal recovery) and bench studies relevant to experimental brain injury.
 
The Schober lab focuses on neurologic outcomes after traumatic injury (TBI) to the developing brain, using a rat pup model. The Schober lab has studied Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), a component of fish oil, and published novel findings on how inflammation in the developing rat brain responds to injury with or without treatment with DHA. Ongoing work highlights sex-dependent differences and functional aspects of the brain's immune cells, such as the ability to make reactive oxygen species and phagocytose beads. The link to a YouTube video summarizing the lab's work can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPDseEuLwJE&t=1716s
 
The University of Utah offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Excellent health care coverage at affordable rates (see the Summary Comparison for more information) 
• 14.2% retirement contributions that vest immediately
• Generous paid leave time 
• 11 paid Holidays per year
• 50% tuition reduction for employees, spouses, and dependent children
• Flex spending accounts
• University provided basic employee life insurance coverage equal to a salary of up to $25,000
• Variety of elective insurance coverage, including life insurance, short and long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and pet. 
• Free transit on most UTA services
• Employee discounts on a variety of products and services, including cell phones & plans, entertainment, health and fitness, restaurants, retail, and travel
• Professional development opportunities

Additional benefits information is available at https://benefits.utah.edu/. 

Responsibilities
Essential Functions Technical

1. Independently perform all necessary tasks related to the rat model, including but not limited to animal husbandry, administration of the special diet, injection of the study agent(s), performance of specialized surgeries and monitoring animal recovery.
2. Independently conducting rat cognitive testing, including but not limited to habituation, handling, training and testing the rats. This testing involves using two different computer systems and software, using and maintaining testing equipment and testing rooms.
3. Procurement of tissues for scientific experiments, including euthanasia, non-survival surgeries, tissue dissection, perfusion, tissue processing.
4. Independently conduct laboratory techniques including but not limited to Immunohistochemistry (from brain slicing to staining, imaging and analysis); Immunoblotting (sample preparation and processing, imaging, analysis); Protein assays such as ELISA and multiplexing arrays(sample processing and analysis), Flow cytometry (from creation of single cell preparations from fresh brain, antibody staining, cell sorting, cell collection and analysis); Gene expression assays (from RNA extraction either from tissues or cells to gene expression analysis via real time RTPCR or Nanostring technology; and Biological assays such as Total Antioxidant Capacity, Caspase 3 activation, among others.

Scientific

1. Assist the PI with optimization of laboratory techniques that are either unfamiliar to the PI or novel to the field by independently collecting information from published literature, technical support from research suppliers, local collaborators, etc.
2. Keep and maintain rigorous documentation of experiments performed.
3. Independently interpret results of laboratory experiments by providing own insight based on knowledge of the literature and by observations made when conducting the experiments, to share and discuss with Dr. Schober.
4. Independently conduct basic statistical analysis of results obtained from laboratory experiments and presenting them to Dr. Schober in graphical and tabular form to assist her in creating her own presentations.

Administrative/Supervisory

1. Desired but not required: supervise work hours labored and quality/quantity of work performed by laboratory aides, volunteers and summer students.
2. Assist Dr. Schober in managing the budget by maintaining accurate and orderly purchase records, by optimizing scheduling plans for laboratory personnel to minimize or eliminate need for overtime pay, by searching for the most cost-effective options for equipment and services, by avoiding waste and by collaborating with other laboratories.
3. Keep and update an accurate and orderly inventory of laboratory supplies, freezer and refrigerator contents, tissues, etc. and make sure that laboratory space is used wisely.
4. Maintain all equipment and procedures needed to meet regulatory requirements imposed by IACUC and OSHA, and actively assist Dr. Schober in the conduct and response to IACUC and OSHA inspections.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:Nearly Continuously: Office environment.Often: Exposure to animals, infectious disease, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids), hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals). Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be requiredNearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting. Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.



Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry or other scientific discipline or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); two years full-time laboratory experience; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills required. Working knowledge of advanced scientific techniques and procedures as well as the ability to make statistical calculations, analyze results, prepare reports and perform specialized tests also required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences


Special Instructions


Requisition Number: PRN42252B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, schedule is flexible based on project needs.
Department: 00848 - Pediatric Administration
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $18.41-$26.73
Close Date: 9/23/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/184335







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