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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Who We Are

The Michigan Neuroscience Institute (MNI) is a cross-campus research community founded in 1955 that unites more than 170 faculty to advance discovery across molecular, cellular, systems, and computational neuroscience. This environment provides exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, access to cutting-edge cores, and engagement with a vibrant neuroscience community.

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

The Allada Laboratory at the University of Michigan seeks a highly motivated and scientifically sophisticated Research Lab Specialist Senior to play a central role in coordinating and advancing multiple funded research programs focused on sleep, circadian rhythms, and neurogenetics.

This position integrates scientific leadership, research project management, and laboratory operations oversight within a dynamic academic research environment. The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator to guide experimental strategy, ensure efficient execution of complex research projects, and maintain rigorous standards of experimental design, documentation, and data interpretation.

The Research Lab Specialist Senior will serve as a key intellectual and operational partner in the laboratory by helping translate broad scientific goals into clearly defined experimental plans and timelines. A major responsibility of this role is tracking experimental progress across projects, coordinating laboratory personnel, and maintaining structured systems for monitoring research milestones, including experimental logs, project schematics, and progress reports.

In addition to project oversight and staff coordination, the individual will provide technical leadership and mentorship to trainees and research staff, ensuring rigor and reproducibility of experimental workflows. The position may also include selected experimental contributions to support project momentum and methodological development.

This role offers an opportunity for a highly organized scientist to contribute meaningfully to the direction and execution of cutting-edge research programs in circadian and sleep biology.

Responsibilities*

Scientific and Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and scientific oversight of complex research projects, including experimental design, troubleshooting, and interpretation of experimental results.
• Work closely with the PI to refine experimental strategies and translate research goals into actionable experimental plans.
• Promote rigor and reproducibility by ensuring consistent experimental documentation and adherence to laboratory standards.
• Train and mentor laboratory personnel in experimental techniques, project planning, and data documentation practices.
• Perform or assist with selected experimental procedures when needed to support research progress or develop new experimental approaches.
  
  

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Research Project Management

• Coordinate multiple grant-funded research projects and ensure alignment with defined research milestones and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain structured systems to track experimental progress, project timelines, and research outputs.
• Review weekly research progress reports from laboratory personnel and ensure appropriate follow-up on experimental plans.
• Ensure that experimental logs, project schematics, and documentation systems are maintained consistently across laboratory projects.
• Identify potential bottlenecks in experimental workflows and work with the PI and research team to resolve them.
• Organize and facilitate project review meetings to ensure accountability and maintain research momentum.
• Assist in preparation of grant progress reports, manuscripts, and research summaries.
  
  

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Laboratory Operations and Staff Coordination

• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations to support efficient execution of research programs.
• Coordinate workflows across trainees, research staff, and collaborators to ensure alignment with project priorities.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new laboratory members.
• Promote best practices in experimental documentation, data management, and research coordination.
• Coordinate procurement of laboratory supplies, monitor laboratory inventory systems, and assist with equipment management.
• Support compliance with institutional policies related to laboratory safety and documentation.
  

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Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, biology, genetics, bioengineering, or a related biomedical science field.
5-6 years of relevant laboratory research experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong background in experimental design and data interpretation in biological research.
Experience coordinating complex research projects or multi-investigator collaborations.
Demonstrated ability to guide experimental strategy and troubleshoot research workflows.
Experience mentoring trainees or supervising research personnel.
Experience contributing to scientific publications or grant preparation.
Exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Desired Qualifications*

PhD in neuroscience, genetics, molecular biology, or a related field.
Familiarity with behavioral, molecular, genetic, or genomic approaches used in neuroscience or circadian biology.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest and most distinguished academic medical centers in the world. Our research environment supports interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation across basic, translational, and clinical science.

The Allada Laboratory is internationally recognized for its work on the genetic and neural mechanisms of circadian rhythms and sleep regulation, and offers an intellectually stimulating environment for scientists interested in advancing fundamental understanding of brain function.

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.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.