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Details

**Open Date** 06/23/2025

**Requisition Number** PRN42252B

**Job Title** Lab Specialist

**Working Title** Lab Specialist

**Job Grade** D

**FLSA Code** Nonexempt

**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No

**Standard Hours per Week** 40

**Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time

**Shift** Day

Work Schedule Summary

Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, schedule is flexible based on project needs.

**VP Area** U of U Health - Academics

**Department** 00848 - Pediatric Administration

**Location** Campus

**City** Salt Lake City, UT

**Type of Recruitment** External Posting

**Pay Rate Range** $18.41-$26.73

**Close Date** 09/23/2025

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

Job Summary:

The Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine has an immediate opening for a Lab Specialist. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in the research lab setting. Position is responsible for independently performing all necessary tasks related to the rat model (including but not limited to animal husbandry, administration of the special diet, injection of the study agent(s), performance of specialized surgeries and monitoring animal recovery) and bench studies relevant to experimental brain injury.

The Schober lab focuses on neurologic outcomes after traumatic injury ( TBI ) to the developing brain, using a rat pup model. The Schober lab has studied Docosahexaenoic Acid ( DHA ), a component of fish oil, and published novel findings on how inflammation in the developing rat brain responds to injury with or without treatment with DHA . Ongoing work highlights sex-dependent differences and functional aspects of the brain’s immune cells, such as the ability to make reactive oxygen species and phagocytose beads. The link to a YouTube video summarizing the lab’s work can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPDseEuLwJE&t=1716s

The University of Utah offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

+ Excellent**health care coverage**at affordable rates (see the**Summary Comparison**for more information)

+ **14.2% retirement contributions**that vest immediately

+ Generous**paid leave time**

+ **11 paid Holidays**per year

+ **50% tuition reduction**for employees, spouses, and dependent children

+ **Flex spending accounts**

+ University provided**basic employee life insurance**coverage equal to a salary of up to $25,000

+ Variety of elective**insurance coverage**, including life insurance, short and long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and pet.

+ **Free transit**on most UTA services

+ Employee discounts on a variety of products and services, including cell phones & plans, entertainment, health and fitness, restaurants, retail, and travel

+ Professional development opportunities

Additional benefits information is available at**https://benefits.utah.edu/.**

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Technical

1. Independently perform all necessary tasks related to the rat model, including but not limited to animal husbandry, administration of the special diet, injection of the study agent(s), performance of specialized surgeries and monitoring animal recovery.

2. Independently conducting rat cognitive testing, including but not limited to habituation, handling, training and testing the rats. This testing involves using two different computer systems and software, using and maintaining testing equipment and testing rooms.

3. Procurement of tissues for scientific experiments, including euthanasia, non-survival surgeries, tissue dissection, perfusion, tissue processing.

4. Independently conduct laboratory techniques including but not limited to Immunohistochemistry (from brain slicing to staining, imaging and analysis); Immunoblotting (sample preparation and processing, imaging, analysis); Protein assays such as ELISA and multiplexing arrays(sample processing and analysis), Flow cytometry (from creation of single cell preparations from fresh brain, antibody staining, cell sorting, cell collection and analysis); Gene expression assays (from RNA extraction either from tissues or cells to gene expression analysis via real time RTPCR or Nanostring technology; and Biological assays such as Total Antioxidant Capacity, Caspase 3 activation, among others.

Scientific

1. Assist the PI with optimization of laboratory techniques that are either unfamiliar to the PI or novel to the field by independently collecting information from published literature, technical support from research suppliers, local collaborators, etc.

2. Keep and maintain rigorous documentation of experiments performed.

3. Independently interpret results of laboratory experiments by providing own insight based on knowledge of the literature and by observations made when conducting the experiments, to share and discuss with Dr. Schober.

4. Independently conduct basic statistical analysis of results obtained from laboratory experiments and presenting them to Dr. Schober in graphical and tabular form to assist her in creating her own presentations.

Administrative/Supervisory

1. Desired but not required: supervise work hours labored and quality/quantity of work performed by laboratory aides, volunteers and summer students.

2. Assist Dr. Schober in managing the budget by maintaining accurate and orderly purchase records, by optimizing scheduling plans for laboratory personnel to minimize or eliminate need for overtime pay, by searching for the most cost-effective options for equipment and services, by avoiding waste and by collaborating with other laboratories.

3. Keep and update an accurate and orderly inventory of laboratory supplies, freezer and refrigerator contents, tissues, etc. and make sure that laboratory space is used wisely.

4. Maintain all equipment and procedures needed to meet regulatory requirements imposed by IACUC and OSHA , and actively assist Dr. Schober in the conduct and response to IACUC and OSHA inspections.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Often: Exposure to animals, infectious disease, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids), hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals).

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

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

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry or other scientific discipline or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); two years full-time laboratory experience; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills required. Working knowledge of advanced scientific techniques and procedures as well as the ability to make statistical calculations, analyze results, prepare reports and perform specialized tests also required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

**Type** Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

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 patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. 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.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and 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 Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.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.