Human Resources

Summary

At the Health Research Institute (HRI) at Michigan Technological University, researchers are tackling a wide variety of health challenges. From engineering advanced wound care materials and pioneering vaccine and gene therapy manufacturing to harnessing AI to improve medical image analysis—or unraveling the gut-brain connection in disease—our researchers are doing translational, interdisciplinary, and increasingly convergent work.

HRI is seeking a Research Scientist or Engineer to join our interdisciplinary organization with a focus on bioprocessing and process analytical technologies (PAT) or using an atomic force microscope (AFM) with biological material. The position will be highly collaborative with the Heldt Bioseparations Laboratory, including receiving mentorship. We look forward to welcoming an exceptional researcher who is willing to drive innovation, build new collaborations, and develop an externally funded research program. They will also provide mentorship to graduate students and other researchers in their field of expertise. Affiliation with academic departments is available to qualified candidates. The ideal candidate is a self-starting, driven researcher with a desire to learn and participate in the development of a sustainable research program.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

● Participate in and help develop a highly active research program in bioprocessing or AFM with a focus on biologics and gene therapy processing.
● Perform laboratory experiments, write proposals and publications in peer-reviewed journals, and present at conferences.
● Mentor graduate students and other researchers in the lab.
● Manage programs through HRI and the Heldt Bioseparations Laboratory.
● Maintain a safe, compliant office and laboratory environment.
● Maintain a culture of inclusivity and curiosity.
● Participate in HRI and inter-institute meetings, events, and conferences.
● Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in university continuous improvement initiatives.
● Some travel may be required.
● Other duties as required.
● Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
● Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

● PhD in chemical engineering, biological engineering, biomedical engineering or a closely related field.

Required Experience

● Experience in developing innovative upstream or downstream unit operations, PAT, or AFM characterization for biologics, gene therapy, and/or mRNA technologies.
● Experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
● Demonstrated ability to deliver technical information both orally and written to peer audiences.
● Demonstrated ability to work independently and with group members in a team.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

● +1 year post doctoral experience.
● Experience working with gene therapy vectors.
● Experience with atomic force microscopy.
● Experience mentoring researchers at different levels.
● Experience leading teams.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Strong laboratory skills in basic biochemical techniques.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Demonstrate an ability to communicate research to a wide audience, including fellow researchers in other disciplines, the public, students, and practitioners.
● Desire to learn how to write fundable grant applications.
● Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following training courses:

● Employee Safety Overview
● Annual Data Security Training
● Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
● Annual Title IX Training

Additional training will be required by the department on a periodic basis.

Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

-

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $80,000. The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Executive Director

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Additional Information

This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.