Research Lab Specialist Assoc

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

The Draelos lab, in the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, is seeking candidates for a 1-year Research Lab Specialist Associate position. This is primarily for work on an NIH-funded project developing multimodal variational autoencoder models and probabilistic trajectory analyses for latent spaces formed from neural, genetic, and behavioral data.

Responsibilities*

• Responsible for the operation of a specialized laboratory within a department or research program.
• Has an active role in the design, execution and outcome assessment of a project or research study.
• Coordinates the collection and analysis of data and the conduct of experimental tests and procedures.
• Provides input into the development of mathematical and/or computer models for analyzing experimental data.
• Trains users in equipment operation and laboratory techniques. Explains and demonstrates technology and equipment capabilities, operations limitations and outcomes.
• Increased responsibility for writing research support proposals and acquiring data from outside agencies.
• May act as a liaison with other departments, programs or organizations for acquiring data and sharing information related to the research project.

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's Degree is required. 1-3 years of experience in a related field as well as experience in the following areas:

Contribution to Research Design
Able to develop, design and conduct more complex experiments in line with a research plan and reviews results periodically with faculty member or senior research staff member.
Expected to provide more input into the development of procedures and in research design.

Data Analysis
Experience with multimodal machine learning, variational autoencoders, and/or similar machine learning or AI models implemented in Python.
Responsible for implementing components of research design analysis.
Responsible for developing components of the data analysis system (computer models, instrumentation, statistical models) for data analysis.
Able to evaluate results and recommend improvements in research design and modeling.

Technical Support
Provides technical assistance in operation and calibration of instrumentation and other research equipment including shared resources.
Takes more responsibility for ensuring equipment is operating according to specifications.
Functions as a technical advisor on components of the research, working in a higher level of autonomy.

Literature Search/Writing
Able to perform literature searches relevant to the research.
Responsible for writing certain components of progress reports and manuscripts.
May co-author publications and may co-present results with the PI in formal meetings.

Supervision
Functional and administrative supervision may be exercised over lab assistants, graduate students and other assigned research and support personnel.
Plans and coordinates work of lab assistants, graduate students, entry level research staff, and other support personnel.

Decision-Making
Can make some independent decisions that impact research operations with minimal supervision.

Desired Qualifications*

Master's Degree preferred.

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.

**This is an onsite position.

Additional Information

**This is a one-year term-limited position with the possibility of extension based upon need and funding. At the end of the stated term, your appointment will terminate, and will not be eligible for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) benefits. This term-limited appointment does not create a contract or guarantee of employment for any period of time as you will remain subject to disciplinary or other performance measures, up to and including termination, at the will of the University in accordance with existing University policy and standards for employee performance and conduct.

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 employment opportunity employer.

276352

Research Lab Specialist Assoc

Research Lab Specialist Assoc

Ann Arbor Campus

Onsite

Full-Time

Regular

Exempt

Medical School

MM Biomedical Engineering - MS

4/20/2026 - 4/27/2026

Research