Research Scientist​/Engineer

Job Description

The Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 1. This position supports experiments performed in the Capozzi Laboratory using rodent models to investigate the effects of nutrition on diabetes and metabolic diseases such as steatotic liver disease. The laboratory seeks to understand how hormones control nutrient metabolism in health and disease.

All duties are performed in support of the Capozzi laboratory research and include training, laboratory maintenance, animal work, and data analysis.

• Perform daily care and handling of laboratory rodents, including feeding, monitoring health, and ensuring proper housing conditions.
• Maintain and monitor mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, and weaning as required.
• Design and conduct experiments in rodent models to study nutrition and diabetes, performing surgical procedures as appropriate.
• Set up experimental protocols, administer treatments, and collect biological samples.
• Perform laboratory techniques such as western blotting, PCR, and ELISAs, ensuring accurate execution and troubleshooting.
• Analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical methods and generate figures for presentations and publications.
• Communicate experiment findings and progress regularly with the Principal Investigator (PI) and research team through meetings as needed.
• Read and review relevant scientific literature to stay informed about current research trends and incorporate new knowledge into experimental design and techniques.

• Provide overviews of current research projects, objectives, and the role of new personnel.
• Mentor and train undergraduate research assistants or new lab personnel in laboratory techniques, safety protocols, and experimental procedures.
• Provide guidance and support to ensure successful onboarding and skill development.
• Conduct hands‑on training sessions to demonstrate and practice essential laboratory techniques such as pipetting, sample preparation, and equipment operation.
• Train new personnel on SOPs for various experiments and lab tasks, ensuring they can execute procedures accurately.
• Educate new personnel on laboratory safety protocols, including the use of PPE, emergency procedures, and safe handling of chemicals and biological materials.
• Ensure all lab members adhere to institutional and regulatory safety standards, conducting regular safety audits and refresher training sessions as necessary.
• Guide new personnel through experimental protocols used in current research projects.
• Oversee initial experimental tasks performed by new personnel, providing immediate feedback and troubleshooting support.

• Assist in maintaining a clean and organized laboratory environment.
• Participate in regular laboratory meetings to discuss research progress and present findings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the PI, such as organizing lab supplies, purchasing, and facilitating equipment maintenance.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, physiology or a related field and one year of relevant experience.

• Familiarity with metabolic research in rodent models, particularly glucagon and incretin actions.
• Skilled in survival surgery techniques, including 5/6 nephrectomy.
• Previous rodent handling, treatment administration, retro‑orbital injection, and colony maintenance experience.
• Experience performing ELISA, western blotting, Luminex assays, and gene expression analysis.
• Ability to isolate primary cells from tissues, including pancreatic islets and hepatocytes.
• Good organizational skills and ability to work as a team member and take on responsibility.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with fellows, students, and staff.
• Willingness and ability to perform rodent experiments.
• Willingness to learn new tasks and adapt to changing lab needs.
• Dedication to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment.

• Up to 3 years of previous wet‑lab research experience.
• Advanced understanding of metabolic regulation and…