Staff Scientist

Department

About the Department

Job Summary

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and optimizes genetic engineering tools and experimental assays for anaerobic microorganisms, includingBifidobacterium species.

• Engineers microbial strains for controlled gene expression, therapeutic protein production and secretion, and targeted delivery of biological therapeutics.

• Designs and conducts molecular biology, microbiology, and cell-based experiments to characterize engineered microbial functions and host–microbe interactions.

• Develops and executes preclinical studies using animal models to evaluate microbial colonization, therapeutic efficacy, and host responses.

• Develops and tests scientific hypotheses, analyzes experimental data, and interprets findings to guide ongoing research.

• Collaborates with interdisciplinary research teams to develop and evaluate novel microbial therapeutics.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
• Trains new laboratory personnel.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Work Experience:

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Postdoctoral researcher training.

• Prior experience writing and preparing manuscripts.
• Strong knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology, synthetic biology, and microbial genetic engineering.

• Experience with anaerobic microbial cultivation, genetic manipulation, and characterization of engineered microorganisms.

• Experience with recombinant protein expression, protein secretion, and molecular and biochemical assays.

• Knowledge of mammalian cell culture, host–microbe interactions, and preclinical animal models, including tumor models.

• Strong skills in experimental design, troubleshooting, quantitative data analysis, and scientific interpretation.

Preferred Competencies

• The ability to independently plan, organize, and carry out complex research projects.

• A talent for communicating scientific findings clearly through publications, presentations, and written reports.

• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and train laboratory personnel.

Working Conditions

• Wet lab environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

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When applying, the document(s)MUST be uploaded via theMy Experience page, in the section titledApplication Documents of the application.

Job Family

Role Impact

Scheduled Weekly Hours

Drug Test Required

Health Screen Required

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Pay Rate Type

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FLSA Status

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Pay Range

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in theBenefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employerand does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see theUniversity's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call773-702-5800 or submit a request viaApplicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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