University of Utah
Job Summary
The Schober lab focuses on neurologic outcomes after traumatic injury (TBI) to the developing brain, using a rat pup model and, more recently, a piglet model of TBI. The 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 rat work can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPDseEuLwJE&t=1716s
This role will perform various support tasks in assisting the scientific research team with the execution of tests and experiments. Set up, operate, clean, and maintain lab instruments and equipment. Depending on the area of research, may prepare media, samples, solutions, specimens, and/or reagents. Perform testing and monitoring. Gather and record research data. Keep detailed logs of experiments. Maintain and stock supplies.
Grant ending 06/30/26 This is a time‑limited and temporary, non‑benefited position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026. Employment may end sooner than anticipated based on departmental needs, funding availability, or other factors. Continued employment is contingent upon departmental review, satisfactory performance, and the availability of funding.
Responsibilities Perform various support tasks in assisting the scientific research team with the execution of tests and experiments.
General responsibilities
Follows prescribed procedures for maintaining laboratory equipment such as surgical instruments, molecular biology equipment, cognitive and behavior testing facilities, among others.
Prepares reagents, compounds, solutions and other media for research experimentation such as those needed for the above molecular procedures, tissue processing including sectioning, staining, imaging, and animal surgery and husbandry.
Assists with inventory, ordering and stocking laboratory supplies and equipment including frozen samples.
Maintains records of research data and may prepare charts or illustrations.
Conducts literature reviews to obtain abstracts and information to be utilized in research.
May oversee and coordinate the operations of students and/or volunteers during experiments in a laboratory setting.
Specific responsibilities
Performs euthanasia on rats or piglets as per IACUC and laboratory standards to obtain brain tissue; dissects and prepares brain tissue, blood, cerebrospinal fluid and other biological fluids/tissues as indicated by the research protocol. May obtain blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid from anesthetized rats or piglets.
Performs routine animal husbandry (cares for rat dams and pups, observes their conditions and reports unusual developments to the principal investigator or other senior lab personnel. May administer intraperitoneal or enteral drugs as instructed. Assists in survival surgeries and may perform survival surgeries with moderate supervision. May assist PI and senior lab personnel in piglet and/or minipig surgeries, monitoring, procedures with moderate supervision. May collect and analyze data gathered using multimodal monitoring and advanced software in piglets and mini pigs.
Carries out functional testing on rats (tests of cognition and/or behavior such as Morris Water Maze, Novel Object Recognition, Dry Land Maze, etc) in rats and spatial T maze, Novel Object Recognition, and others in piglets, assists with imaging anesthetized rats (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computerized Tomography or others).
Can assist in administering and supervising the use of inhaled anesthetics for experimental purposes.
Carries out basic bench procedures including molecular biology procedures such as real time RT PCR, ELISA, western blotting, flow cytometry, etc. according to established procedures.
Prepares brain, blood, and body fluid specimens according to established laboratory practices including those intended for shipment to outside or intramural facilities. Examples include samples for immunohistochemistry, real time RT PCR, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry.
Job Levels and Pay Rates The following job levels and associated pay rates will be considered based on job placement. Final placement, including the corresponding pay rate, will be determined by the department in alignment with business needs and budget considerations.
Research Technician, I Entry‑level support role. Performs routine tasks as directed and under close supervision.
Requires little to no related experience.
Job Code: S56441
Grade: S12
Expected Pay Range: $15.00 to $18.87
Research Technician, II Mid‑level support role. Completes routine tasks under moderate supervision.
Requires at least 1 year of related experience.
Job Code: S56442
Grade: S14
Expected Pay Range: $17.33 to $21.81
Minimum Qualifications 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Preferences
Knowledge of many complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials and substances.
Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, ability to use sophisticated software for image optimization and analyses including brain imaging and histology.
Prepared reports required; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also preferred.
OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification is required.
Additional Information The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.
Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are 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.
Equal Opportunity Statement 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.
Contact information for accommodation requests: Director/ Title IX Coordinator, Office of Equal Opportunity and affirmative action (OEO/AA), 383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 801‑581‑8365, oeo@utah.edu. Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu. For more information: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.
To inquire about this posting, email employment@utah.edu or call 801‑581‑2300.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
Safety and security information can be found at https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
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This role will perform various support tasks in assisting the scientific research team with the execution of tests and experiments. Set up, operate, clean, and maintain lab instruments and equipment. Depending on the area of research, may prepare media, samples, solutions, specimens, and/or reagents. Perform testing and monitoring. Gather and record research data. Keep detailed logs of experiments. Maintain and stock supplies.
Grant ending 06/30/26 This is a time‑limited and temporary, non‑benefited position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026. Employment may end sooner than anticipated based on departmental needs, funding availability, or other factors. Continued employment is contingent upon departmental review, satisfactory performance, and the availability of funding.
Responsibilities Perform various support tasks in assisting the scientific research team with the execution of tests and experiments.
General responsibilities
Follows prescribed procedures for maintaining laboratory equipment such as surgical instruments, molecular biology equipment, cognitive and behavior testing facilities, among others.
Prepares reagents, compounds, solutions and other media for research experimentation such as those needed for the above molecular procedures, tissue processing including sectioning, staining, imaging, and animal surgery and husbandry.
Assists with inventory, ordering and stocking laboratory supplies and equipment including frozen samples.
Maintains records of research data and may prepare charts or illustrations.
Conducts literature reviews to obtain abstracts and information to be utilized in research.
May oversee and coordinate the operations of students and/or volunteers during experiments in a laboratory setting.
Specific responsibilities
Performs euthanasia on rats or piglets as per IACUC and laboratory standards to obtain brain tissue; dissects and prepares brain tissue, blood, cerebrospinal fluid and other biological fluids/tissues as indicated by the research protocol. May obtain blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid from anesthetized rats or piglets.
Performs routine animal husbandry (cares for rat dams and pups, observes their conditions and reports unusual developments to the principal investigator or other senior lab personnel. May administer intraperitoneal or enteral drugs as instructed. Assists in survival surgeries and may perform survival surgeries with moderate supervision. May assist PI and senior lab personnel in piglet and/or minipig surgeries, monitoring, procedures with moderate supervision. May collect and analyze data gathered using multimodal monitoring and advanced software in piglets and mini pigs.
Carries out functional testing on rats (tests of cognition and/or behavior such as Morris Water Maze, Novel Object Recognition, Dry Land Maze, etc) in rats and spatial T maze, Novel Object Recognition, and others in piglets, assists with imaging anesthetized rats (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computerized Tomography or others).
Can assist in administering and supervising the use of inhaled anesthetics for experimental purposes.
Carries out basic bench procedures including molecular biology procedures such as real time RT PCR, ELISA, western blotting, flow cytometry, etc. according to established procedures.
Prepares brain, blood, and body fluid specimens according to established laboratory practices including those intended for shipment to outside or intramural facilities. Examples include samples for immunohistochemistry, real time RT PCR, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry.
Job Levels and Pay Rates The following job levels and associated pay rates will be considered based on job placement. Final placement, including the corresponding pay rate, will be determined by the department in alignment with business needs and budget considerations.
Research Technician, I Entry‑level support role. Performs routine tasks as directed and under close supervision.
Requires little to no related experience.
Job Code: S56441
Grade: S12
Expected Pay Range: $15.00 to $18.87
Research Technician, II Mid‑level support role. Completes routine tasks under moderate supervision.
Requires at least 1 year of related experience.
Job Code: S56442
Grade: S14
Expected Pay Range: $17.33 to $21.81
Minimum Qualifications 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Preferences
Knowledge of many complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials and substances.
Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, ability to use sophisticated software for image optimization and analyses including brain imaging and histology.
Prepared reports required; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also preferred.
OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification is required.
Additional Information The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.
Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are 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.
Equal Opportunity Statement 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.
Contact information for accommodation requests: Director/ Title IX Coordinator, Office of Equal Opportunity and affirmative action (OEO/AA), 383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 801‑581‑8365, oeo@utah.edu. Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu. For more information: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.
To inquire about this posting, email employment@utah.edu or call 801‑581‑2300.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
Safety and security information can be found at https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
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