The Department of Neurosurgery is seeking a Lab Specialist to support our labs, currently with a focus on functional neurosurgery, including movement disorders and chronic pain, and potentially neurovascular research.

Lab Specialist employees provide technical lab support by performing complex lab and research-related tasks. They act as specialists on research methods and equipment functions specific to investigations. They have the authority to adapt methods and procedures to meet the needs of research. Lab Specialist employees perform daily activities without supervision; their longer-term assignments require greater oversight. Lab Specialist employees often train others on work processes and policies.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Specialize in lab and/or other research methods and equipment functions specific to principal investigators and/or labs. Demonstrate expertise in troubleshooting problems and recommending solutions. Perform a variety of tests requiring a high degree of proficiency.
• Assist in evaluation of research methods, procedures, and techniques based on established objectives.
• May perform small animal surgery.
• Provide basic assistance to researchers in manipulating, computing, and analyzing data using specialized statistical computer software. Evaluate experiment results using statistical and multivariate analyses. Research, compile, and maintain complex statistical, numerical, and computerized reports.
• Perform library and literature research.
• Assist in instructing lab academic sections in lab methods, procedures, and safety.
• Explain work instructions and may adapt general methods and procedures in order to meet the needs of the research.
• Assist in training other staff members on procedures.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned

Specific Duties in Neurosurgery Research:

• Conduct surgical experiments using small and large animal models.
• Perform animal care, handling, and training.
• Collect, process, and analyze samples from animal experiments.
• Prepare and maintain clinical and translational research protocols.
• Manage day-to-day activities of lab and schedule experiments as necessary.
• Functional neurosurgery research could include preparing and conducting experimental testing with healthy human subjects and patients (transcranial-focused ultrasound, laser-evoked potentials, quantitative somatosensory testing, EEG, MRI, surveys, etc.).
• Neurovascular Laboratory tasks could include immunohistochemistry, western blotting, quantitative PCR, DNA sequencing, cell culture, and other laboratory assignments.
• Provide supervisory role for lab students and volunteers.
• Maintain data records and perform data analysis, including using image processing and statistical software.
• Contribute to manuscripts and grant submissions.
• Attend and present work at seminars and conferences.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Bachelor's degree.
• Experience: 3 years of experience. 6 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree. Experience can include training via fellowships, student work, internships, and volunteering that is relevant to the work of the position.

For additional information about the position, please contact department business manager Paul Doherty at 434.982.6373 or dohertyp@virginia.edu

This position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community, please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

 

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.