Job Description

Job Summary
The Cartilage Healing and Regeneration (CHaRM) lab at Michigan addresses one of the prevalent causes of OA development, unrepaired traumatic articular cartilage injury. The CHaRM lab was established with the specific intent of transforming the way cartilage injury, repair, and disease progression are investigated. Broadly, we?ve taken a precision medicine approach that ranges from reprogramming intracellular signaling of cells to modeling whole joint mechanics to understand and modify these systems at their respective length scales. Our research focuses on engineering stem cells to self-regulate their phenotype, systems-level evaluation of stem cell chondrogenesis and maturation, and whole knee biomechanics.

We are looking for a diligent, talented, and self-motivated individual with an interest in experimentation, analytical workflows, and scientific teamwork to be a lab manager in the CHaRM lab. This position offers the opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary scientists on urgent and pressing questions in the context of joint injury and osteoarthritis. There is a good deal of excitement and funding in this area, and we are making great strides in better understanding these common, debilitating musculoskeletal conditions. There is strong potential for development in technical expertise in addition to improvements in communication skills, work ethic, and conceptual knowledge.

The Michigan Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery provides outstanding, state-of-the-art, evidence-based care for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Our faculty, staff, and trainees conduct a diverse range of musculoskeletal research and scholarship. The department?s research program is integral to its mission and vision of leading advances in musculoskeletal health, through excellence and innovative care, scientific discovery, and dedicated teaching.

Research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is conducted by a diverse group of faculty, staff and trainees with expertise in biology, engineering, epidemiology, health outcomes and healthcare. Collaborative research programs are focused on improving treatment or preventing musculoskeletal disorders and disease. The research enterprise is funded by a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, the NIH, DoD, NSF, industry, and professional societies. Primary basic science research operations are located at the Biomedical Science Research Building, with additional clinical research sites. Currently there are extensive shared core resources and a team of core research staff.

Responsibilities*
Responsibilities will include:

Management of day-to-day workings of the lab, including ordering, safety, and organization
Operation and calibration of instrumentation and other research equipment.
Working closely with senior researchers on project-oriented objectives
Developing proficiency in multiple molecular biology techniques and procedures
Keeping careful and detailed lab notebook records of experiments, data, and observations
Analysis of data collected from experiments
Clear and effective communication with our multi-disciplinary team of scientists, trainees, and clinicians
Attendance at bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with direct supervisor and weekly laboratory meetings
Applicants are also expected to provide significant input into the development of procedures and in research design. They will also be responsible for writing components of progress reports and manuscripts. They are also expected to co-author publications and co-present results with the PI in formal meetings.

Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree in biology, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field
>5 years of experience conducting laboratory-based research (e.g. cell culture, molecular biology/biochemistry, and mouse studies)
Proficiency with word processing and spreadsheets (e.g. GraphPad; Microsoft
Word/Excel/PowerPoint, Google Docs/Sheets/Slides)

Willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, and concepts
Competent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent manual dexterity and attention to detail
Methodical, systematic work approach and diligent notetaking skills
Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
Desired Qualifications*
Significant experience working with animals and animal models, especially rodents
Experience in managing the operation of a specialized laboratory within a department or research program
Experience with molecular biology techniques including isolation of RNA, DNA, and protein
Gene and protein expression analyses (PCR, western blotting, ELISA)
Experience with mammalian cell culture
Experience with analyzing, collating, and presenting data from experiments
Experience working closely with senior researchers on projects