Neuroscience Lab Research Assistant Jobs in Michigan

How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Job Summary
Join the expanding Michigan Center for Translational Pathology laboratory to work in the clinical research team. Our CLIA-certified laboratory uses high-throughput technologies to understand the mechanisms of cancer progression and to develop new prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers of cancer. The laboratory provides enormous resources and opportunities for an individual to learn traditional cellular/molecular techniques, as well as state-of-the-art technologies, including Next Generation Sequencing and developing technologies in cancer genomics, such as Nanopore long-read sequencing. The candidate will work primarily with a group of senior laboratory personnel to assist and collaborate with researchers within the laboratory and beyond.
Responsibilities*
Detailed duties include: Performing molecular and cellular experiments on the mechanisms of cancer progression and therapy resistance, particularly in prostate, breast, myeloma, and rare cancers. Experiments will include molecular cloning of genetic aberrations identified through next-generation sequencing followed by expression and establishment of cell culture model systems. CRISPR technologies will be used to establish knockout and conditional knockout models. The applicant will learn how to generate next-generation sequencing libraries spanning a range of technologies, from cell-free DNA to ChIP-Seq.
This position is ideal for individuals who are interested in leading projects. The work has the potential to lead to discoveries that can directly translate into the clinic. This position will also co-ordinate research projects with other staff and undergraduate students.
Participate in Mi-ONCOSEQ CLIA clinical sequencing lab activities, nucleic acid extraction from blood, bone marrow, frozen tissue, buccal swabs, and FFPE, cell selection using antibody-conjugated magnetic beads, prepare samples through PCR and gel electrophoresis for sequencing, check the sample quality via bioanalyzer and QPCR, run the next-gen sequencing platform, validate the potential candidate genes by Sanger sequencing and QPCR, write internal research reports summarizing research activities, participate in weekly laboratory meetings, and interact as a team member with laboratory personnel. Write and develop CLIA SOPs, carry out high demand next generation sequencing procedures, independently run experiments and interpret results, help with manuscript writing and organizing data, and contribute to general lab management and CLIA clinical test compliance.
Required Qualifications*
Education: Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, or a related biological science.
Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years of hands-on experience in a molecular biology laboratory (post-undergraduate experience preferred). Familiarity with quantitative PCR techniques, molecular cloning and cell culture. Minimum of 4-5 years of experience in a related field.
Required Skills: Proven ability to master complex, multi-step protocols with high reproducibility and attention to detail. Willingness to learn new concepts and technologies. Demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Strong organizational skills, good record-keeping skills, and an interest in basic and applied cancer research.
Desired Qualifications*
Master's degree in biological or health related fields.
Experience in cell culture, CRISPR screens, Western blotting, and multiomic technologies desirable.
Motivation to lead individual research projects.
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .
Additional Information
The Michigan Center for Translational Pathology (MCTP) is a collaborative effort to foster research advances in molecular medicine and apply those advances as quickly as possible to benefit patient care. The mission of our Center is to establish the University of Michigan as an international leader in the discovery and characterization of disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets using an integrated multi-disciplinary, systems biology approach and establish a new paradigm of bringing personalized medicine to routine clinical care through the use of high-throughput sequencing. More information on MCTP can be found on our website: https://pathology.med.umich.edu/mctp/
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
280519
Working Title
Research Lab Specialist Inter
Job Title
Research Lab Specialist Inter
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Medical School
Department
MM Ctr fr Translational Path.
Posting Begin/End Date
8/10/2026 - 9/08/2026
Career Interest
Research