Research Specialists

Announcement

Details

Open Date 10/21/2026 Requisition Number PRN46565B Job Title Research Specialists Working Title Research Specialist I (Immunology - Bapat Lab) Career Progression Track P00 Track Level P1 - Entry Level Pro FLSA Code Professional Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary

On site, 40 hours per week, variable schedule based on needs of lab.

VP Area U of U Health - Academics Department 00247 - Pathology Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range 27,194 - 52,706 Close Date 01/21/2027 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY

The Bapat Lab in the Department of Pathology investigates how the immune system regulates tissue physiology, inflammation, and disease, with particular emphasis on immunometabolism, tissue immune memory, and cancer immunology.

We seek a motivated Research Specialist I to support experimental studies using mouse models, primary immune cell cultures, and molecular and cellular immunology approaches.

The successful candidate will participate in the execution of in vivo and in vitro experiments, including mouse colony management, tissue processing, immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, and molecular assays.

Responsibilities also include maintaining accurate experimental records, organizing and analyzing data, and contributing to the overall scientific and operational activities of the laboratory. The position provides opportunities to develop expertise in advanced experimental immunology and contribute to ongoing research projects.

See: https://bapatlab.org

Learn about the great benefits of working for University of Utah at benefits.utah.edu.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct in vivo experiments using mouse models of inflammation, obesity, and cancer, including animal handling, experimental treatments, sample collection, and tissue harvesting under approved protocols.
• Maintain and manage genetically modified mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, colony records, and coordination of experimental cohorts.
• Isolate and process primary cells from mouse tissues, including skin, adipose tissue, lymphoid organs, and tumors, for downstream cellular and molecular analyses.
• Perform primary immune cell culture, in vitro stimulation assays, and other cell-based experiments using established protocols.
• Prepare samples and perform immunological assays, including multicolor flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and molecular biology techniques.
• Assist in preparing samples for genomic and transcriptomic analyses, including bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing and other high-dimensional profiling methods.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and document experimental results; maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic research records.
• Support laboratory operations, including reagent preparation, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and compliance with institutional biosafety and animal research requirements.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, experimental discussions, and collaborative research activities.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Laboratory environment.

Often: Exposure to animals.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing and pipetting), walking, standing, sitting.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Research Specialist, I: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master's (or equivalency) degree.

Preferences

PREFERENCES

• Prior research experience in immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a related biomedical discipline.
• Hands-on experience working with laboratory mice, including animal handling, breeding, genotyping, injections, and tissue collection.
• Experience with primary mammalian cell isolation and culture, particularly immune cells.
• Familiarity with multicolor flow cytometry, sample preparation, and basic analysis of flow cytometry data.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques, including PCR, quantitative PCR, RNA isolation, and preparation of biological samples for sequencing.
• Experience with mouse models of inflammation, metabolic disease, or cancer.
• Strong organizational skills, careful experimental documentation, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple experiments.
• Ability to work both independently under established protocols and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.

Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary

Anticipated start date: January 2027.

Applicants should submit a current CV or resume and a brief cover letter describing their relevant laboratory research experience, technical expertise, and scientific interests. Experience in experimental immunology, mouse models, and cellular or molecular biology is particularly relevant.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is your highest level of completed education?

• None

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree

• Doctorate Degree

• • How many years of related work experience do you have?

• Less than 2 years

• 2 years or more, but less than 4 years

• 4 years or more, but less than 6 years

• 6 years or more, but less than 8 years

• 8 years or more, but less than 10 years

• 10 years or more, but less than 12 years

• 12 years or more, but less than 14 years

• 14 years or more

• • Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes

• No

• • Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship for employment?

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter