Senior Research Specialist – DeFigueiredo Lab

Hiring Department

Bond Life Sciences Center

The Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri is a dynamic hub where groundbreaking research meets real-world impact. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, our state-of-the-art facility brings together experts in diverse fields—engineers, cancer biologists, plant scientists, and IT specialists—all working towards a common goal: to save lives, reduce costs, and enhance everyday life for Missourians and people around the globe.

Our Mission:
We are committed to transforming scientific discoveries into actionable solutions. Our innovative research not only addresses pressing challenges in human and animal health, the environment, and agriculture, but it also translates into meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals everywhere. We also strive to share our findings with the public, ensuring that our discoveries resonate far beyond the lab in a language anyone can understand through our blog, Decoding Science , events for the public, social media and more.

Why Join Us?
At the Bond Life Sciences Center, you’ll be part of a vibrant community dedicated to making a difference. Our collaborative environment not only supports innovative research but also ensures that our discoveries lead to tangible benefits for society. Work in an award-winning facility designed for creativity and impact and contribute to a mission that truly changes lives.

Join us in our quest to advance science and improve lives, one discovery at a time!

Job Description

Dr. Paul de Figueiredo’s lab is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, independent thinker who is interested in using microbes to combat cancer and autoimmune disease in humans. Our goal is to build an inexpensive and safe therapeutic using bacteria that can recruit and regulate tumor-targeting immune cells to help the body fight cancer cells without the side effects of traditional medications. Alongside the University of Missouri’s excellent research infrastructure to support these lines of investigation, our research endeavors primary focus on experiments related to microbe-influenced corrosion in lab mice colonies.

In this role, you will:
• manage rodent colonies for the entire lab team, including handling animals, collecting samples, analyzing genotypes, and making informed decisions to maintain the colony's health and integrity.
• keep detailed records of rodent populations and genetic information, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• coordinate various projects, which involves conducting literature reviews to gain insights into genetically modified animals and determining optimal breeding schemes for specific colonies.
• contribute to the dissemination of research findings by participating in publishing articles and serving as a co-author for new projects and procedures developed in the lab.
• monitor and update databases and spreadsheets.
• coordinate with groups such as OAR and commercial couriers for animal shipments.
• be responsible for training and overseeing students and student workers; fostering a collaborative and productive lab environment.

Successful candidates will be persuasive communicators with exceptional organizational and time management skills. They must demonstrate the following durable skills: leadership, character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, metacognition, mindfulness, growth mindset, and fortitude. Additionally, customer service, confidentiality, integrity, and a commitment to the university values.

Must be available for reliable and consistent onsite work.

If you are looking to make a difference and grow your career, come join our dynamic team and make a difference in the future of research and lives of people everywhere.

Shift

Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, or Microbiology
• Experience in managing research projects.
• Experience in university regulations related to animal welfare and reporting

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $51,875 – $62,400 per year
Grade: GGS-9E
University Title: Senior Research Specialist
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Cover letter & Resume/CV

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen cultural festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits .

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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