Lab Specialist, Department of Neuroscience

The Lukens Lab in the Department of Neuroscience and the Center of Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) at the University of Virginia is seeking to hire a motivated and detail-oriented Lab Specialist to perform and assist with animal colony management, data analysis, and experiments. The Lukens lab is investigating the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, and traumatic brain injury.

The incumbent will be responsible for managing the lab’s animal colony, genotyping, contributing to data analysis, performing molecular studies, and helping to train Graduate Students.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree and 3 years of laboratory experience. Experience in class laboratory settings can be counted towards years of experience. 6 years of lab-related experience will also be accepted in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree. The successful candidate should also possess excellent written and oral communication skills and be motivated to learn new laboratory techniques and skills. Applicants should also possess strong problem-solving skills and be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Lab Specialist employees provide technical lab support by performing complex lab and research related tasks. They act as specialists on research methods and equipment functions specific to investigations. They have the authority to adapt methods and procedures to meet the needs of research. They are distinguished from Lab Technicians by the types and duration of assignments, as well as the skills and expertise necessary to serve as resources on non-routine problems. Lab Specialist employees perform daily activities without supervision; their longer-term assignments require greater oversight. Lab Specialist employees often train others on work processes and policies.

The Successful Candidate Will Be Expected To

Specialize in lab and/or other research methods and equipment functions specific to Principal Investigators and/or labs. Demonstrate expertise in troubleshooting problems and recommending solutions. Perform a variety of tests requiring high degree of proficiency.Assist in evaluation of research methods, procedures, and techniques based on established objectives.May perform small animal surgery.Provide basic assistance to researchers in manipulating, computing, and analyzing data using specialized statistical computer software. Evaluate experiment results using statistical and multivariate analyses. Research, compile, and maintain complex statistical, numerical, and computerized reports.Perform library and literature research.Assist in instructing lab academic sections in lab methods, procedures, and safety.Explain work instructions and may adapt general methods and procedures in order to meet the needs of the research.Assist in training other staff members on procedures.In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree.Experience: 3 years of experience. 6 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.Lab experience may include student experience.

This position will remain open until filled. This is a non-exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position.

To Apply

Please apply through the UVA job board, and search for R0059744. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'. Complete an application online with the following documents:

Cover letter Curriculum vitae (CV)

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, Recruiter, at jf2sw@virginia.edu.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.