Research Pro 3-Life Sci-Multidisc - Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology

Our lab is seeking a Research Professional 3 to help manage the lab and lead projects focused on the role of the gut-brain axis in the development of metabolic disease and cancer. The Duca lab is extremely interested in the role of diet and the gut microbiome in obesity and diabetes and intestinal cancers, with an emphasis on the impact of gastrointestinal nutrient sensing and signaling to the brain. The lab specializes in utilizing transgenic animal models along with sophisticated surgical techniques to test hypotheses in-vivo, coupled with extensive ex-vivo molecular biology assessments and metagenomics and metabolomic data. The successful candidate would be responsible for managing day to day operations of the lab, including ordering and inventory, as well as leading the various experiments. Major tasks will include maintaining transgenic colonies, assisting with complex in-vivo studies and ex-vivo molecular biology, and spearheading experiments involving primary cell or organoid models.

Typical job duties will include:

30% Lab Management
Perform basic maintenance of laboratory equipment and order supplies and parts.
Manage orders for required reagents and materials for experiments.
Maintain inventory of reagents and samples in refrigerators and freezers.
Oversee and be responsible for all various lab approvals and inspections.

25% Mouse Colony Maintenance
Maintain transgenic mice lines
Perform PCR to confirm transgenic lines

25% Assist in In-vivo studies
Perform and assist with survival surgeries in mice and rats. Surgeries include: gut and vascular catheters, neural manipulations, stereotaxic surgery
Responsible for maintaining metabolic indirect calorimetry cages
Perform and assist in long-term dietary studies involving measuring food intake, body weight, adiposity in mice
Performing and assisting with various glucose and insulin tolerance tests.
Perform and assist in germ-free mice experiments

20% Molecular Biology Experiments
Responsible for running various molecular biology techniques like Western Blot, qPCR,etc.
Section tissue and run immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or RNAScope for mostly intestine and brain.
Independently conduct ELISAs and other assays.

Required Qualifications:
BA/BS in Physiology, Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, or related field, plus at least four years of research lab experience, or a combination of education and work experience to equal eight years.
Experience with ordering equipment and reagents for the laboratory.
Experience with rodent handling and willingness to learn rodents techniques
Laboratory experience with common molecular biology techniques including DNA, RNA,
protein extraction, qPCR, western blot, and ELISAs and other assays.
Ability to carry out research protocols from written or oral instructions by supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:
Extensive experience with in-vivo rodent techniques (injections, gavage, etc)
Experience with survival surgery techniques, especially vascular catheterization and/or stereotaxic surgery.
Understanding of animal husbandry and transgenic mouse lines.
Ability to section tissue (preferably brain or intestine) via microtome or cryostat.
Experience with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or RNAscope
Experience with HEK cells preferred and previous flow cytometry experience a plus.
Ability to perform cell culture or organoid studies

The Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology's research centers on integrative systems biology of the heart and vasculature, including the close linkages among cardiovascular diseases and obesity, diabetes and metabolism at the whole animal level. The department is ideally positioned to bridge basic science discoveries to clinically relevant applications, spanning from academia to our neighbors in the biomedical industry.

Pay Range: $27.14 per hour - $34.62 per hour depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

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