Senior Research Technician / Lab Manager

Job Overview

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Research Technician / Lab Manager to support a growing immunology and reproductive biology research laboratory in Detroit, MI. The lab studies maternal–fetal immune interactions, placental inflammation, viral infection, and offspring immune programming using cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry, mouse models, and tissue-based assays.

This position combines hands-on bench work with day-to-day lab management. The ideal candidate will have prior wet-lab experience, strong organizational skills, and interest in a stable, longer-term research staff role.

Duties

• Perform and support experiments in immunology, reproductive biology, and molecular/cellular biology.
• Maintain mammalian cell culture and assist with stimulation, infection-related assays, sample collection, and cell-based experiments.
• Perform routine molecular and biochemical techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA/Luminex sample preparation, and related assays.
• Assist with flow cytometry sample preparation, antibody staining, data organization, and basic analysis.
• Support mouse colony maintenance, timed pregnancy experiments, tissue collection, and sample processing, depending on experience and training.
• Assist with placenta, decidua, fetal tissue, lung, blood, bone marrow, and immune-cell sample preparation.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, experimental notes, sample inventories, and reagent databases.
• Manage lab supplies, ordering, inventory, equipment maintenance, freezer organization, and general laboratory organization.
• Help train students and junior lab members in basic lab techniques, safety procedures, and good record-keeping.
• Ensure compliance with institutional biosafety, animal-use, chemical safety, and laboratory safety procedures.
• Contribute to protocol optimization, troubleshooting, and reproducible experimental workflows.
• Work closely with the PI and lab members to coordinate ongoing research projects and timelines.

Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, immunology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a related field.
• At least 1–2 years of hands-on wet-lab experience preferred; more experienced candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, PCR/qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, histology, or mouse work is preferred.
• Experience working in an academic research laboratory is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability to work independently after training and communicate clearly with the PI and team members.
• Prior experience with ordering, inventory, lab organization, or training junior members is helpful but not required.
• Interest in immunology, reproductive biology, pregnancy, inflammation, viral infection, or developmental programming is a plus.

This is a full-time research staff position suited for someone seeking a stable, longer-term role in an academic biomedical research laboratory. Salary is expected to be $48,000–$58,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Pay: $48,000.00 - $58,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person