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Details

**Open Date** 10/13/2025

**Requisition Number** PRN43298B

**Job Title** Sr Laboratory Specialist

**Working Title** Sr Laboratory Specialist

**Career Progression Track** E

Track Level

**FLSA Code** Administrative

**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No

**Standard Hours per Week** 10

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

**Shift** Day

Work Schedule Summary

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

**Department** 01709 - CCTS - PRECISION MEDICINE

**Location** Campus

**City** Salt Lake City, UT

**Type of Recruitment** External Posting

**Pay Rate Range** Depending on experience

**Close Date** 10/21/2025

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

Job Summary

The Cellular Translational Research Core ( CTRC ) at the University of Utah is seeking a Senior Laboratory Specialist with expertise in stem cell biology and gene editing to help advance highly specialized and cutting-edge translational research. The Senior Laboratory Specialist will play a key role in developing, optimizing, and implementing new technologies within the Stem Cell Core. Responsibilities include refining stem cell culture and gene-editing protocols, improving workflow efficiency, and ensuring the quality and reproducibility of results. The position may also involve overseeing daily laboratory operations and offers potential for growth into leadership roles within the Core.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated technical expertise in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture, CRISPR /Cas9 gene editing, and differentiation of stem cells into specific lineages. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to collaborative, high-impact research in a supportive and innovative environment.

About the CTRC

The **CTRC** provides laboratory services, support, and expertise to accelerate research across the University of Utah community. Our mission is to advance translational science by providing high-quality cellular and molecular biology resources to investigators in a collaborative and innovative setting.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Innovations in Stem Cell Culture & Differentiation

+ Generate, maintain, and characterize induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines.

+ Differentiate iPSCs into lineage-specific cell types (e.g., vascular, neuronal, cardiac, etc.).

+ Develop, document, and optimize stem cell culture and differentiation protocols to improve yield, reproducibility, and efficiency.

Innovations in Gene Editing & Molecular Biology

+ Perform CRISPR /Cas9-based genome editing, including design, delivery, screening, and validation of edited cell lines.

+ Troubleshoot and refine gene-editing workflows to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

+ Collaborate with Core users to design and implement gene-editing strategies aligned with their research objectives.

Operations & Quality Control

+ Maintain accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures and results.

+ Contribute to the development, documentation, and optimization of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

+ Ensure laboratory equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and functioning.

+ Coordinate daily operations, prioritize workload, and ensure compliance with SOPs, timelines, and quality standards.

+ Foster a collaborative, organized, and safety-conscious laboratory environment.

Process Improvement

+ Evaluate existing workflows and implement strategies to improve throughput, reproducibility, and efficiency.

+ Participate actively in Core meetings and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

+ Perform literature reviews to identify emerging techniques and technologies beneficial to CTRC customers.

+ Prepare, operate, and maintain laboratory and experimental testing equipment.

Collaboration & Dissemination

+ Contribute to research papers and publications as appropriate.

+ Represent the University by presenting research innovations at departmental events, scientific meetings, and conferences.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate scientific discipline or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), plus four years of related full-time laboratory experience required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.

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

Preferences

+ **Education:** Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or related field required; Ph.D. preferred.

+ Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, including iPSC generation and differentiation.

+ Demonstrated experience with CRISPR /Cas9 or other gene-editing technologies.

+ Prior experience in a core facility or collaborative research environment preferred.

+ Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.

+ Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment. Prior experience in a core facility or collaborative research environment preferred.

+ Previous experience in LIMS for managing biospecimens.

**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.