Research Professional

About the Job

This position is in a research laboratory focused on the biology and pathology of the oral mucosa. The lab studies the structural and functional changes in oral tissues during health and disease, such as wound healing, inflammation, and oral cancer. The studies primarily involve animal models, histological analysis of oral tissues, and general molecular biology techniques.

The primary purpose of this position is to support the laboratory's efficient operation through animal management, tissue processing, and general laboratory organization. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in maintaining the animal colony (including breeding and tissue harvesting), managing laboratory inventory, and performing histological processing of oral mucosal tissues.

While this is primarily a support role, we are committed to mentoring our staff. Motivated candidates who demonstrate efficiency and excellence in their primary managerial and technical duties will be encouraged to design and lead their own independent research projects.

• Laboratory Management & Organization (30%):
  Serve as the primary point of contact for lab organization. Responsible for ordering supplies, maintaining inventory of chemicals and consumables, and organizing laboratory equipment. Manage shipping and receiving. Assist in maintaining equipment and contacting vendors for repairs. Ensure the lab remains compliant with safety regulations (EH&S) and keep accurate records of orders and budgets.
• Research Assistance & Independent Projects (30%):
  Assist graduate students, post-docs, and senior staff with various experimental tasks, such as preparing chemical solutions/buffers and helping set up experiments. For candidates who are able to manage these duties alongside their core responsibilities, there is an opportunity to lead and execute independent research projects suitable for publication.
• Animal Colony Management & Procedures (20%):
  Manage the daily operations of the rodent colony. This includes routine husbandry, setting up breeding pairs, weaning litters, and keeping meticulous records of animal lines (genotyping). Perform terminal procedures, including euthanasia and dissection, to harvest oral tissues (e.g., tongue, buccal mucosa, gingiva) for analysis. Ensure strict adherence to IACUC protocols and animal welfare guidelines.
• Histology & Tissue Processing (20%):
  Perform histological studies on oral tissues collected from experiments. Responsibilities include tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning (using a cryostat or microtome), mounting sections on slides, and performing staining (e.g., H&E, trichrome, or immunohistochemistry). Catalog and store samples for future imaging and analysis.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, animal science, oral biology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of related education and research experience totaling at least four (4) years.
• Comfort and willingness to work with laboratory rodents, including handling, husbandry, and performing euthanasia/tissue harvesting.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail (essential for inventory and colony management).
• Ability to work as part of a research team and communicate effectively with lab members.
• Must be able to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including occasional hours on weekends for animal health checks, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with mouse colony management (breeding, weaning, genotyping).
• Prior hands-on experience with histological techniques, specifically sectioning soft tissues (mucosa/skin) and staining.
• Experience with immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) for record-keeping and inventory management.
• Previous experience in a lab manager or lab assistant role involving ordering and stocking.
• A strong interest in scientific research and career development in oral biology.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state's only dental school and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. The School of Dentistry advances health through scientific discovery, innovative education, and the highest quality care for all communities. Our impact extends beyond dental offices to classrooms and clinics throughout the region.

We educate dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental educators, and research scientists.

Pay Range: $20.26 - $21.16 USD/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 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:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and…