Research Area Specialist Intermediate

Apply Now

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

This posting is for a Research Area Specialist Intermediate position in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Michigan. Our laboratory investigates cardiovascular inflammation and remodeling using high-dimensional immune phenotyping (flow and mass cytometry), molecular immunology, and murine models of myocardial infarction and heart failure. The successful candidate will take a leading technical role in immune phenotyping and assay development, will process clinical and murine samples for downstream analyses, and will train and coordinate the work of other research staff as the group expands under newly awarded funding. The role demands independent technical judgment, strong organizational skills, and the ability to maintain rigorous, reproducible workflows across complex, multi-cohort experimental designs.

Responsibilities*

• Design, optimize, and execute high-dimensional immune phenotyping by flow and mass cytometry, including antibody panel design, titration, instrument acquisition, and data analysis.
• Develop, validate, and document molecular and cell-based assays, including quantitative PCR, ELISA, Meso Scale Discovery, Western blot, next-generation sequencing, and CRISPR-based approaches, and translate them into standard operating procedures.
• Maintain and culture primary and stem cell lines and process clinical and murine biological samples, including tissue dissociation and isolation of splenocytes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
• Prepare and process samples for downstream analyses including flow and mass cytometry, histology, sequencing, and proteomics.
• Assist with in vivo murine procedures and tissue harvest in myocardial infarction and heart failure models, and coordinate cohort processing across studies.
• Train and functionally supervise incoming research staff, communicate instructions and protocols, and coordinate experimental workflows across the Goonewardena and Pinsky laboratory groups.
• Maintain rigorous, accurate records of experiments and sample inventories, and analyze data for publications under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• Maintain a well-organized inventory of laboratory materials, place order requests with the Internal Medicine Purchasing team, and steward laboratory protocols and equipment.
• Communicate clearly and immediately about problems, uncertainty, or deviations from expected outcomes.
• Attend scheduled laboratory meetings and contribute to discussions of experimental design and troubleshooting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• A bachelor's degree in a biological or health science discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Several years (typically three or more) of hands-on bench research experience in immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in multicolor flow cytometry, including panel design, titration, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with molecular and cell-based assays such as quantitative PCR, ELISA, Western blot, and next-generation sequencing, together with assay development and validation.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and with the processing of biological samples for downstream analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and document standard operating procedures and to perform repeated procedures with precision and consistency.
• Strong organizational, record-keeping, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to report problems or uncertainty promptly.
• Comfort with online project management tools and communication platforms.
• Flexibility to conduct experiments over some weekends as needed.
• Understands and demonstrates the core concepts of Patient and Family Centered Care, including Respect and Dignity, Information Sharing, Participation, and Team Collaboration.

Desired Qualifications*

• A background in immunology and/or vascular biology.
• Experience with mass cytometry (CyTOF), or a demonstrated willingness to develop high-dimensional mass cytometry capability.
• Experience with CRISPR-based cell engineering, viral transduction (AAV or lentiviral), and high-dimensional data analysis using FlowJo, R, or comparable tools.
• Experience training, mentoring, or coordinating the work of other laboratory staff.
• Experience with murine tissue processing and cell isolation from heart, spleen, vascular tissues, and bone marrow.
• A record of contribution to peer-reviewed publications.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

We, the staff and faculty of the U-M Cardiovascular Center (CVC) team, are dedicated to advancing medicine and serving humanity by living and teaching our core values of Respect and Compassion; Collaboration; Innovation; and Commitment to Excellence. Every CVC employee is expected to understand and demonstrate that in all interactions, we represent our entire organization through the quality of care we provide and the courtesies we extend to patients, families, and team members. The CVC is committed to partnering with patients and families to deliver the safest and highest quality health care.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.