Entry Laboratory Science Professional

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: Pediatrics 

Job Title: Entry Laboratory Science Professional

Position #: 00851489 – Requisition #:40690

Job Summary:

The Barber Entry Laboratory Science Professional will collaborate with and support the Principal Investigator (PI) and other stakeholders with laboratory and research functions, especially as it pertains to animal work and routine laboratory administration. They will utilize a variety of laboratory techniques required for research projects, perform experiments, and analyze research data; support analytical testing processes in the collection and review of conditions, including preserving samples, completing sample preparation, and documenting and communicating results. Specifically, they will support projects focused on neuroscience and mouse model research. The bulk of the required training will be provided on-the-job by our team members, but we appreciate candidates who have previous experience working with mice and/or working in a hands-on research setting. We are seeking an individual who will primarily work both with mice and at the bench and will interface with the whole research team. Our ideal candidate is excited to learn new skills and has completed recent coursework in a premedical or STEM field.

Key Responsibilities:

Perform Research Experiments and Maintain Mouse Research (60%)

• Colony Management: Maintenance of breeders and weanlings; euthanasias; monitoring sick/injured mice; weaning; genotyping or acquiring tissue for genotyping; ear tagging mice for identification; maintaining colony size to a reasonable amount based on needs; cage card requests; culling of mice; transferring mice to regular housing rooms and changing cage types. 

• Colony Paperwork: Maintenance of appropriate tracking of colony maintenance; creating a bi-weekly census of litters for appropriate labs; removing/adding mice as needed; updating mouse status based on breeding/lab personnel reservation/cage number/room change; updating genotypes as received from Transnetyx; purge of old animals to keep the database running smoothly; ensuring billing is correct.

• Attend and actively participate in weekly lab meetings.

• Protocol assistance and adding people to the protocol.

• Complete a colony census once per month for their lab(s).

• Breeder planning for their lab(s).

• Provide services such as surgical assistance, hypoxia monitoring, and mouse behavior assessments; providing animal care related to research studies, as necessary.

• Perform lab-based tasks, including but not limited to making solutions, sectioning mouse brains, mounting brain sections onto slides, staining slides, microscopy, and image analysis following pipelines as directed by Dr. Barber.

• Perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical test processes and evaluate the results produced.

• Regularly update written protocols, inventories, and lab notebooks to record and communicate experiments performed.

Execute Routine Lab Tasks (20%)

• Conduct biohazardous waste disposal, safety procedures, and laboratory equipment maintenance to support a clean and safe research environment, in compliance with CU Biosafety guidelines.

• Maintain regular inventories of laboratory supplies and samples.

• Provide protocol assistance and add people to the protocol as needed.

• Prepare lab for daily operations, including stocking materials, equipment, safety, cleanliness, and related areas.

• Pick up, transport, and maintain results, samples, documents, materials, and other items as needed.

• Dispose of laboratory materials and samples using well-established guidelines and instructions.

• Order laboratory supplies as needed and maintain working stocks of custom in-house reagents.

• Review and implement lab support policies, practices, and programs to meet organizational, operational, and management needs.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; receive guidance and direction or escalate when required.

Communicate Data Procedures, Results, and Next Steps (20%)

• Perform basic data quality checks on experimental data collected.

• Troubleshoot issues in experimental results as needed, with the assistance of the supervisor.

• Present experiments performed and data collected to team members at regular internal meetings, directly with the PI, and weekly lab meetings.

• Coordinate meetings with lab personnel to communicate regularly and ensure their research needs are being met; being able to work with lab personnel to ensure mice are being used and not aging out; sending follow-up emails, when necessary, after meetings with lab personnel to make sure everything was clear; and working with lab personnel to make sure their needs are met.

• Expansion of current knowledge—learning additional things, such as in-house genotyping, more about lines/experiments being done in the lab, and how to assist with those, and more about genetics and strain creation/breeding schemes.

• Review, complete, and process logs, documents, databases, and related materials and information.

• Respond to vendors and CU staff (core personnel, OLAR, etc.) promptly and courteously.

• Provide support by researching issues and developing recommendations to resolve processes, units, and related issues.

   

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a public education, clinical, and research facility serving 4,500 students and is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of life-changing science, medicine, and healthcare. CU Anschutz offers more than 42 highly rated degree programs through 6 schools and colleges and receives over $500 million in research awards each year. We are the single largest health professions education provider in Colorado, awarding nearly 1,450 degrees annually. Powered by our award-winning faculty, renowned researchers, and a reputation for academic excellence, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus drives innovation from the classroom to the laboratory to the delivery of unparalleled patient care.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced-rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, or a related field.

   

Substitutions:

• A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

• An advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis if the degree is in a field of study directly related to the work assignment.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working in a research setting.

• Prior experience or background within a hands-on research environment, especially in experimental or wet lab approaches.

• Experience with laboratory animal handling, especially mice and particularly young pups.

• Experience recording and analyzing ultrasonic vocalizations from young mice.

• Experience making literature spreadsheets to understand the landscape of existing methods in translational research.

• Experience with R, Python, or other coding software to analyze biological experimental data.

• Experience with Primary Cell Culture.

• Research experience or coursework on neuroscience.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

• Must be willing and able to pass national criminal and sex offender background checks.

• Must successfully pass a 10-panel drug screen through Children’s Hospital Colorado.

*For questions regarding Children’s Hospital drug testing requirements, please contact Children’s Human Resources at 720-777-8598. Some positions may require testing if access to Children’s Hospital or their systems is needed at any time during employment with the University. If drug testing is required, it will be listed in the job posting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic laboratory techniques including safety procedures and techniques.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Outstanding customer service skills.

• Knowledge of basic human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.

• Ability to interpret and master complex research protocol information.

• Science research background.

• Basic computer and mathematics skills.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to work under the direction of multiple investigators.

• Ability to follow written and spoken directions.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to the listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), email address, and relationship.

Questions should be directed to: Danielle Barber, DANIELLE.G.BARBER@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until five (5) days after the posting date.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $47,811 to $64,067.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.