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.
This role will perform various support tasks to assist a scientific research team with the execution of tests and experiments, including setting up, operating, cleaning, and maintaining lab instruments and equipment; preparing media, samples, solutions, specimens, and reagents; performing testing, monitoring, and recording data; keeping detailed logs; and maintaining and stocking supplies.
This is a temporary, non‑benefited position, expected to end on June 30, 2026. Continued employment is contingent upon departmental review, satisfactory performance, and funding availability.
Responsibilities 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, prepare media, samples, solutions, specimens, and reagents. Perform testing and monitoring. Gather and record research data. Keep detailed logs of experiments. Maintain and stock supplies.
Follow prescribed procedures for maintaining laboratory equipment such as surgical instruments, molecular biology equipment, cognitive and behavior testing facilities, among others.
Prepare reagents, compounds, solutions and other media for research experimentation, including tissue processing, sectioning, staining, imaging, and animal surgery and husbandry.
Assist with inventory, ordering and stocking laboratory supplies and equipment, including frozen samples.
Maintain records of research data and may prepare charts or illustrations.
Conduct literature reviews to obtain abstracts and information for research.
May oversee and coordinate the operations of students and/or volunteers during experiments in a laboratory setting.
Specific Responsibilities
Perform euthanasia on rats or piglets as per IACUC and laboratory standards to obtain brain tissue; dissect and prepare 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 animals.
Perform routine animal husbandry (care for rat dams and pups, observe their conditions and report unusual developments). May administer intra‑peritoneal or enteral drugs as instructed, assist in survival surgeries and, with moderate supervision, perform survival surgeries or assist PI/ senior personnel in piglet or minipig surgeries, monitoring, procedures, and post‑operative care.
Conduct functional testing on rats (cognition and behavior tests such as Morris Water Maze, Novel Object Recognition, Dry Land Maze, etc.) and on piglets (Spatial T maze, Novel Object Recognition, etc.), assist with imaging anesthetized rats (MRI, CT, or other imaging).
Assist in administering and supervising the use of inhaled anesthetics for experimental purposes.
Carry out basic bench procedures including molecular biology techniques such as real‑time RT‑PCR, ELISA, western blotting, flow cytometry, etc. according to established procedures.
Prepare brain, blood and body fluid specimens according to established laboratory practices, including shipment to outside or intramural facilities for immunohistochemistry, real‑time RT‑PCR, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry.
Job Levels and Pay 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 (e.g., a bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Preferences Preferred qualifications include knowledge of complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials, and substances. Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, image‑analysis software for brain imaging and histology, and in preparing reports. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills are also preferred. OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification is required.
Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Utah is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants upon request. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.
Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.
Contact & Application University Human Resource Management 250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Contact us: (801) 581-2169 by email: employment@utah.edu
Required Documents Resume
Optional Documents Cover Letter
Posting Specific Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* What is your highest level of completed education? None
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Associate Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctorate Degree
* How many years of related work experience do you have? Less than 2 years
2 years or more, but less than 4 years
4 years or more, but less than 6 years
6 years or more, but less than 8 years
8 years or more, but less than 10 years
10 years or more, but less than 12 years
12 years or more, but less than 14 years
14 years or more
Director/Title IX Coordinator Office of Equal Opportunity and Aff… (OEO /AA) 383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite Salt Lake City, UT 84112 801‑581‑8365 oeo@utah.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
This role will perform various support tasks to assist a scientific research team with the execution of tests and experiments, including setting up, operating, cleaning, and maintaining lab instruments and equipment; preparing media, samples, solutions, specimens, and reagents; performing testing, monitoring, and recording data; keeping detailed logs; and maintaining and stocking supplies.
This is a temporary, non‑benefited position, expected to end on June 30, 2026. Continued employment is contingent upon departmental review, satisfactory performance, and funding availability.
Responsibilities 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, prepare media, samples, solutions, specimens, and reagents. Perform testing and monitoring. Gather and record research data. Keep detailed logs of experiments. Maintain and stock supplies.
Follow prescribed procedures for maintaining laboratory equipment such as surgical instruments, molecular biology equipment, cognitive and behavior testing facilities, among others.
Prepare reagents, compounds, solutions and other media for research experimentation, including tissue processing, sectioning, staining, imaging, and animal surgery and husbandry.
Assist with inventory, ordering and stocking laboratory supplies and equipment, including frozen samples.
Maintain records of research data and may prepare charts or illustrations.
Conduct literature reviews to obtain abstracts and information for research.
May oversee and coordinate the operations of students and/or volunteers during experiments in a laboratory setting.
Specific Responsibilities
Perform euthanasia on rats or piglets as per IACUC and laboratory standards to obtain brain tissue; dissect and prepare 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 animals.
Perform routine animal husbandry (care for rat dams and pups, observe their conditions and report unusual developments). May administer intra‑peritoneal or enteral drugs as instructed, assist in survival surgeries and, with moderate supervision, perform survival surgeries or assist PI/ senior personnel in piglet or minipig surgeries, monitoring, procedures, and post‑operative care.
Conduct functional testing on rats (cognition and behavior tests such as Morris Water Maze, Novel Object Recognition, Dry Land Maze, etc.) and on piglets (Spatial T maze, Novel Object Recognition, etc.), assist with imaging anesthetized rats (MRI, CT, or other imaging).
Assist in administering and supervising the use of inhaled anesthetics for experimental purposes.
Carry out basic bench procedures including molecular biology techniques such as real‑time RT‑PCR, ELISA, western blotting, flow cytometry, etc. according to established procedures.
Prepare brain, blood and body fluid specimens according to established laboratory practices, including shipment to outside or intramural facilities for immunohistochemistry, real‑time RT‑PCR, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry.
Job Levels and Pay 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 (e.g., a bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Preferences Preferred qualifications include knowledge of complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials, and substances. Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, image‑analysis software for brain imaging and histology, and in preparing reports. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills are also preferred. OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification is required.
Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Utah is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants upon request. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.
Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.
Contact & Application University Human Resource Management 250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Contact us: (801) 581-2169 by email: employment@utah.edu
Required Documents Resume
Optional Documents Cover Letter
Posting Specific Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* What is your highest level of completed education? None
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Associate Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctorate Degree
* How many years of related work experience do you have? Less than 2 years
2 years or more, but less than 4 years
4 years or more, but less than 6 years
6 years or more, but less than 8 years
8 years or more, but less than 10 years
10 years or more, but less than 12 years
12 years or more, but less than 14 years
14 years or more
Director/Title IX Coordinator Office of Equal Opportunity and Aff… (OEO /AA) 383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite Salt Lake City, UT 84112 801‑581‑8365 oeo@utah.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr