Research Specialist I (Immunology - Bapat Lab)
Job Summary
The Bapat Lab in the Department of Pathology investigates how the immune system regulates tissue physiology, inflammation, and disease, with particular emphasis on immunometabolism, tissue immune memory, and cancer immunology.
We seek a motivated Research Specialist I to support experimental studies using mouse models, primary immune cell cultures, and molecular and cellular immunology approaches.
The successful candidate will participate in the execution of in vivo and in vitro experiments, including mouse colony management, tissue processing, immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, and molecular assays.
Responsibilities also include maintaining accurate experimental records, organizing and analyzing data, and contributing to the overall scientific and operational activities of the laboratory. The position provides opportunities to develop expertise in advanced experimental immunology and contribute to ongoing research projects.
See: https://bapatlab.org
Learn about the great benefits of working for University of Utah at benefits.utah.edu.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Conduct in vivo experiments using mouse models of inflammation, obesity, and cancer, including animal handling, experimental treatments, sample collection, and tissue harvesting under approved protocols.
- Maintain and manage genetically modified mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, colony records, and coordination of experimental cohorts.
- Isolate and process primary cells from mouse tissues, including skin, adipose tissue, lymphoid organs, and tumors, for downstream cellular and molecular analyses.
- Perform primary immune cell culture, in vitro stimulation assays, and other cell-based experiments using established protocols.
- Prepare samples and perform immunological assays, including multicolor flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and molecular biology techniques.
- Assist in preparing samples for genomic and transcriptomic analyses, including bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing and other high-dimensional profiling methods.
- Collect, organize, analyze, and document experimental results; maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic research records.
- Support laboratory operations, including reagent preparation, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and compliance with institutional biosafety and animal research requirements.
- Participate in laboratory meetings, experimental discussions, and collaborative research activities.
Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:
Nearly Continuously: Laboratory environment.
Often: Exposure to animals.
Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required:
Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing and pipetting), walking, standing, sitting.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.
Minimum Qualifications
Equivalency Statement: 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).
Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:
Research Specialist, I: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.
Preferences
- Prior research experience in immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a related biomedical discipline.
- Hands-on experience working with laboratory mice, including animal handling, breeding, genotyping, injections, and tissue collection.
- Experience with primary mammalian cell isolation and culture, particularly immune cells.
- Familiarity with multicolor flow cytometry, sample preparation, and basic analysis of flow cytometry data.
- Experience with molecular biology techniques, including PCR, quantitative PCR, RNA isolation, and preparation of biological samples for sequencing.
- Experience with mouse models of inflammation, metabolic disease, or cancer.
- Strong organizational skills, careful experimental documentation, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple experiments.
- Ability to work both independently under established protocols and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment.
Additional Position Information
Type: Benefited Staff
Work schedule: On site, 40 hours per week, variable schedule based on needs of lab.
Department: 00247 - Pathology
Location: Campus
City: Salt Lake City, UT
Pay Rate Range: 27,194 - 52,706
Close Date: 01/21/2027
Special Instructions
Anticipated start date: January 2027.
Applicants should submit a current CV or resume and a brief cover letter describing their relevant laboratory research experience, technical expertise, and scientific interests. Experience in experimental immunology, mouse models, and cellular or molecular biology is particularly relevant.
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
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.
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