Imaging Research Associate Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

This position will be part of a collaborative biomedical research environment involving cell culture, tissue engineering, microscopy, and molecular analysis. Some experiments may require careful timing, serial sample collection, or occasional scheduling flexibility. 

40% Human cell culture, co-culture systems, and 3D skin model support

• Grow, maintain, and quality-control human skin-related cell cultures, including keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, immune cells, and other relevant cell types. Assist with construction and maintenance of organotypic or full-thickness 3D human skin models, including epithelial and dermal compartments. 
• Support incorporation of additional cell types into 2D or 3D co-culture systems. 
• Monitor tissue morphology, cell viability, epithelial organization, barrier-related readouts, and model reproducibility across experimental batches. 

30% Tissue processing, histology, imaging, and spatial-omics preparation

• Prepare 2D cultures, 3D skin models, and tissue samples for fixation, embedding coordination, sectioning support, staining, and imaging. 
• Perform H & E staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, multiplex staining preparation, and spatial-omics-related histology workflows. 
• Assist with imaging of epithelial, dermal, immune, and extracellular matrix markers using fluorescence, confocal, or other microscopy platforms. 
• Maintain organized sample maps and imaging records. 

20% Molecular, cellular, and functional assays

• Perform molecular and cellular assays to characterize biological responses in skin and co-culture systems. Techniques may include RNA isolation, qPCR, protein extraction, Western blotting, ELISA, multiplex cytokine assays, viability assays, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and preparation of samples for downstream analysis. 
• Assist with cell migration assays, conditioned-media experiments, cell-state characterization, and analysis of secreted factors or signaling markers. 

10% Data analysis, protocol development, and lab operations

• Analyze wound-closure, migration, fluorescence intensity, epithelial thickness, marker expression, cell phenotype, and spatial organization using standard image-analysis and statistical software. 
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and electronic records. 
• Assist with protocol writing, troubleshooting, reagent preparation, inventory management, equipment maintenance, biosafety compliance, and preparation of figures or summaries for lab meetings and reports.

All required qualifications must be documented in application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree in biology, cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, immunology, dermatology, or a related field, or a combination of education and work experience to equal four years.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and sterile technique.
• Experience with cell lines and primary cells.
• Experience in histology, tissue processing, tissue section handling, immunostaining, or spatial-omics-related histology procedures.
• Experience in cellular biology work, including experiment handling, protocol execution, and basic experimental design.
• Experience with molecular and cellular analysis of biological samples, such as RNA isolation, DNA preparation, protein extraction, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, or related assays.
• Experience using fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, live-cell imaging, or related light-microscopy systems.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and manage lab data including accurate laboratory records, organize samples and data, follow detailed protocols, and work safely in a biomedical research laboratory.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
   

Preferred Qualifications/Skills:

• More than five years of related laboratory experience.
• Masters degree in biology, cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, immunology, dermatology, neuroscience, or a related field.
• Experience with primary human skin keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells, neuronal cells, stem-cell-derived sensory neurons, or related human cell culture systems.
• Experience growing organotypic or full-thickness 3D human skin models, skin equivalents, skin-on-chip systems, epithelial tissue models, or other tissue-engineered culture systems.
• Experience with 2D scratch-wound assays, live-cell migration assays, epithelial repair assays, fibroblast migration assays, or time-lapse microscopy.
• Experience incorporating various accessory cells into co-culture or 3D tissue models.
• Experience with ELISA, multiplex cytokine assays, Luminex, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, or other immune/cellular assays.
• Experience with high-plex spatial imaging, multiplex immunofluorescence, spatial-omics histology, or quantitative image-analysis workflows.
• Experience using ImageJ/Fiji, QuPath, CellProfiler, Prism, Excel, R, Python, or microscope image-analysis software.
• Bioengineering experience, including assay design, co-culture system development, microphysiological systems, spectroscopy, in vivo confocal microscopy, or other optical imaging approaches.
• Experience with small animal procedures or surgical support, if applicable.
• Good troubleshooting skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to think independently while contributing to team-based projects. Strong work ethic, reliability, and enthusiasm for biomedical research.
• Co-authorship on scientific publications or demonstrated contribution to research presentations, posters, abstracts, or manuscripts.

The Department of Dermatology is committed to providing excellent patient care, conducting investigational research and training the next generation of dermatologist. We have world-renowned clinical programs, nationally recognized educational program, and pioneering clinical trials. We are dedicated to improving dermatological care not only for today, but for the future.

The Clinical Research Division in the Department of Dermatology conducts ongoing studies of novel therapeutic agents. Established to explore new drugs, devices and therapies, the Clinical Research Division is dedicated to pioneering innovative breakthroughs in the field of dermatology. Join our team and be a part of these new discoveries!

For more information please visit our website at http://www.dermatology.umn.edu/.

Pay Rate: $30.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications.  Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.