Research Lab Manager 1 – Ben-Sahra Lab

Job ID: 46708
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Department: MED-Biochem&Molecular Genetics
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:
The Ben-Sahra lab is looking for a highly motivated individual with significant experience in molecular and cellular biology and mouse models to join our dynamic research team. The successful candidate will play an important role in ongoing studies exploring how metabolic pathways are altered in cancer and metabolic syndrome and how targeting metabolism might lead to new understandings into how to treat or prevent these conditions. Research is particularly focused on how metabolic pathways interplay with cell signaling pathways to control cell fitness and growth. Current studies employ biochemistry (Western blot), molecular biology (PCRs), cell biology (Cell culture, colony forming assays), and animal models (mouse models; tumor xenografts, genotyping) combined with unbiased systems-level tools, including metabolomics, proteomics and bioinformatics.

For more information about Dr. Issam Ben-Sahra lab, please visit: https://www.bensahralab.org/ The lab manager will be expected to be an integral part of the Ben-Sahra lab group of researchers, actively participating in regular laboratory meetings, discussions, and publications. It is expected that s/he will contribute to the progression of research projects central to the laboratory while at the same time advancing his or her research skills and development as a scientist. In addition to contributing to research endeavors, the appointee will also be responsible for managing daily operations of the lab. Management duties will include ordering of supplies and monitoring lab spending, maintaining laboratory equipment, managing laboratory collections (e.g., mouse models, cell lines, antibodies, plasmids) and databases, updating animal protocols and radioactivity inventory, overseeing compliance issues, and onboarding/training of new personnel in standard laboratory practices and safety procedures.

Manages daily operations of a research lab. Monitors lab performance, analyzes and reviews results, and supervises development and implementation of new protocols. Assigns work and supervises lab personnel and reviews technical operations ensuring that all processes, protocols and procedures are quality controlled and functioning up to standards. Develops implements and administers budgets, grant and administrative procedures. Co-authors scientific papers for presentation and publication and coordinates writing, submission and administration of grants.

Specific Responsibilities:

Manages technical operations of a lab involved in scientific research activities.
In consultation with Principle Investigator (PI) organizes and plans experiments ensuring those project objectives are attained.
Oversees and guides lab staff in review of results and recommendation of changes to protocols to improve validity and accuracy.
Conducts more complex experiments and analysis.

Administration

Oversees and manages collection, maintenance, analysis and evaluation of data that will be used in grant submissions, presentations and publications.
Ensures that information is entered correctly into databases.
Assists PI in reviewing, analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, formatting, editing, and preparing tables, charts, graphs, progress and final reports, etc.
Coordinates between sponsoring agencies, collaboration organizations and/or other research and/or educational institutions.
Ensures research regulations are adhered to, IRB and ACUC approvals in place, material transfer agreements properly executed, and that radiation and lab safety requirements are up to date and implemented.

Finance

Manages lab budget and inventory including purchasing of supplies and services ensuring that they are necessary, reasonable and project related.
Orders and maintains inventory of lab supplies, chemicals, equipment and instrumentation and may distribute intra-departmental charges.
Negotiates with vendors, obtain quotes and arrange for demos of large equipment.

Supervision

Trains, directs, assigns duties to & supervises lab EEs, students, residents&/or fellows.
Provides instruction to lab users on technically complex procedures, equipment instruments.
Typically manages a lab budget of $1,000,000-$3,000,000; 1,000 – 3,000 nasf of space & supervises 5-15 lab members.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 6 years’ lab/bench or other relevant experience required; OR
Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master’s or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 4 years’ lab/bench or other relevant experience.
Supervisory or project management experience required.

Please apply online at https://careers.northwestern.edu/psp/hr857prd_er/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=46708&PostingSeq=1

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