Lab Manager

Job Description:\n\nHarris-Stowe State University is a historically Black institution (HBCU) located in the heart of vibrant mid-town St. Louis, Missouri. Harris-Stowe’s beautiful campus is minutes from the renowned Gateway Arch, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art and History Museums, Forest Park, and other cultural and educational institutions. Harris-Stowe’s diverse faculty and staff provide a wide range of academic programs to one of the St. Louis region's most culturally diverse student bodies. Job Summary: We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Lab Manager to join our research team studying the effects of light pollution on pregnancy, with a focus on generational and gestational impacts. This is a limited-time position funded by a grant. The successful candidate will support laboratory operations, conduct experiments, and ensure the smooth functioning of daily lab activities. Essential Functions: Strategic Leadership: Train and organize undergraduate researchers.Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in neurobiology. Program Development and Management: Perform routine laboratory tasks, including preparation of solutions, reagents, and media.Order lab suppliesOrganize Laboratory meetings and presentations.Lead the planning, design, and launch of new grant related protocols and procedures in line with industry standards. Quality Assurance: Conduct experiments related to light pollution effects on pregnancy, under the guidance of senior researchers.Record, store, and manage experimental data accurately.Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.Maintain a clean and organized lab environment.Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment.Collect, process, and analyze biological samples (e.g., blood, brain, and uterine tissue). Faculty Support and Development: Assist in the preparation of laboratory reports and presentations.Plan and execute Lab safety and procedure trainings.Provide guidance and support to senior faculty and undergraduate researchers in the development and delivery of all aspects of the grant.Other duties as indicated by the PI of the grant. Minimum Education and Experience:A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field. Prior neuroscience laboratory experience preferred. Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques and equipment. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent communication skills. Note: Please be advise that this is a grant-based position. Grant-based positions work very similarly to any other role, but they may be time bound if the grant funding ends Preferred Qualifications: A Master’s degree in Neuroscience or Biology. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge Neuroscience: Deep understanding of neural mechanisms related to reproductive physiology, including hormonal regulation, brain regions like the hypothalamus, and neuroendocrine pathways. Reproductive Physiology: Expertise in reproductive systems, including hormonal cycles, fertility, pregnancy, and mother-infant interactions. This also includes understanding of developmental biology, endocrinology, and reproductive health. Chronobiology: Strong knowledge of biological rhythms (circadian rhythms) and how light exposure affects these rhythms, especially in relation to reproduction. This includes an understanding of melatonin production, photoperiodism, and light-mediated signaling pathways. Light Pollution: Insight into the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on living organisms, particularly its impact on sleep, circadian rhythms, and reproductive health. Knowledge of environmental factors, urban light pollution, and methods of mitigating these effects. Research Methodology: Proficiency in designing experiments, data collection, and statistical analysis in neuroscience, reproductive physiology, and environmental studies. This includes the ability to run both in vivo (animal models) and in vitro (cellular/molecular) experiments. Ethical Research Practices: Knowledge of ethical guidelines for animal care in neuroscience and reproductive research, including working with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) and human subjects, if applicable. Skills Molecular Biology Techniques: Skills in techniques such as PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analysis to study molecular changes in response to light pollution and reproductive cues. Imaging Techniques: Expertise in microscopy (confocal, fluorescent) and possibly in vivo imaging methods like fMRI or calcium imaging to visualize neural circuits and reproductive organs in response to environmental light changes. Animal Handling and Surgery: Proficiency in working with animal models, especially rodents, for conducting reproductive and neuroscience experiments, including knowledge of mating cycles, estrous monitoring, and light exposure manipulation. Data Analysis: Strong skills in statistical software (SPSS, R, Python) for analyzing experimental data. Experience with neuroinformatic tools to handle large datasets, including genetic, imaging, and behavioral data. Behavioral Assays: Ability to design and perform behavioral tests related to reproductive success, mating behaviors, circadian rhythms, and stress responses in animal models. Light Exposure Protocols: Skills in setting up and controlling light conditions (intensity, wavelength, duration) for experiments investigating light pollution and its effects on physiology. Collaborative Skills: Strong ability to collaborate with environmental scientists, endocrinologists, and chrono biologists, as well as manage lab teams and coordinate interdisciplinary research. Abilities Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Ability to generate hypotheses related to how light pollution impacts reproductive physiology and design experiments that effectively address these questions. Attention to Detail: Precision in experimental design, data collection, and data analysis to ensure reproducibility and reliability of research findings. Communication: Ability to clearly communicate complex scientific concepts, both in writing (research papers, grants) and verbally (conferences, lab meetings). This also includes public outreach to communicate the importance of research on light pollution. Innovation: Ability to adapt and innovate laboratory methods to study interactions between light pollution, reproductive physiology, and neural function. This could involve developing new tools for light measurement or genetic models that are sensitive to light changes. Grant Writing and Funding Acquisition: Strong abilities in writing research proposals to secure funding for the lab. This involves understanding what funding agencies are looking for and tailoring applications to focus on the impact of light pollution on reproductive health. Teaching and Mentoring: Capacity to mentor students and junior researchers, teaching them complex neuroscience and physiology techniques, and fostering an environment of collaboration and learning Supervisory Responsibility: The supervisory responsibilities of an individual leading a neuroscience lab that studies reproductive physiology and light pollution would be extensive, as they would oversee both scientific and administrative aspects of the lab. Below are the key supervisory responsibilities: Research Oversight and DirectionProject Leadership: Guide and oversee multiple research projects related to reproductive physiology and light pollution, ensuring alignment with the lab’s overarching goals. Develop research plans, set priorities, and track progress.Experiment Supervision: Oversee the design and execution of experiments, ensuring that research protocols are followed. Review experimental data and provide guidance on troubleshooting and refining techniques.Quality Control: Ensure that the lab maintains high standards of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Oversee the reproducibility and accuracy of all scientific work conducted in the lab. Team Management and DevelopmentMentoring and Training: Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical training to lab members, including postdocs, graduate students, undergraduates, and research assistants. Help them develop their skills in neuroscience, physiology, and light pollution research.Performance Evaluation: Monitor lab members' progress and provide regular feedback on their performance. Conduct performance evaluations, helping lab members to identify areas for improvement and career development.Conflict Resolution: Handle any interpersonal conflicts within the lab in a fair and constructive manner. Ensure a positive and collaborative work environment. Lab Operations ManagementStaffing and Recruiting: Take charge of hiring new lab members, including technicians, graduate students, and postdocs. Ensure that the lab has the right mix of talent and expertise to meet its research objectives.Resource Allocation: Oversee the allocation of resources within the lab, including assigning personnel to specific projects and ensuring that all members have the tools and resources they need to succeed.Lab Safety and Compliance: Ensure that the lab operates in compliance with all safety and ethical regulations, including Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, as well as health and safety guidelines related to lab equipment and hazardous materials.Inventory and Equipment Maintenance: Supervise the management of lab supplies, chemicals, and equipment. Ensure that lab equipment is properly maintained and calibrated and that supplies are replenished as needed. Budgeting and Financial ManagementGrant Management: Supervise the preparation and submission of research grants, ensuring that the lab secures the necessary funding to carry out its research. Oversee budget management, ensuring proper allocation of funds for personnel, equipment, and research materials.Financial Oversight: Track and manage the lab’s budget, making financial decisions related to purchasing equipment, hiring personnel, and managing research funds. Ensure compliance with institutional and grant guidelines. Collaborative LeadershipInterdisciplinary Collaboration: Facilitate collaborations with other departments, institutions, or external partners in fields like chronobiology, reproductive health, or environmental science. Supervise collaborative projects and ensure effective communication between teams.External Communication: Supervise lab members in communicating the lab’s research at conferences, through publications, and in outreach efforts. Represent the lab in meetings with stakeholders, potential collaborators, and funding agencies. Data and Publication SupervisionData Integrity and Management: Supervise data collection, storage, and analysis to ensure that it meets high scientific standards. Oversee the ethical use of data, especially in sensitive areas like reproductive research and animal studies.Manuscript and Report Preparation: Oversee the preparation of scientific papers, reports, and presentations. Provide feedback on drafts and supervise lab members in writing for peer-reviewed publications, grant reports, and conferences. Ethical and Professional LeadershipEthics and Compliance: Ensure that the lab complies with all ethical standards for research, particularly those related to animal care, human subjects (if applicable), and data integrity. Maintain the lab’s ethical standards in all research activities.Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: Ensure an inclusive and supportive lab culture where team members from diverse backgrounds can thrive. Promote diversity in recruitment, mentoring, and lab activities. Innovation and Strategic VisionLong-Term Planning: Develop the lab’s strategic direction by setting research goals and identifying emerging trends in neuroscience, reproductive physiology, and environmental science. Supervise the exploration of innovative techniques and approaches to address the challenges posed by light pollution.Technology Integration: Supervise the integration of new technologies and methodologies into lab research, encouraging team members to explore innovative approaches to studying neurophysiology and environmental factors. In summary, this supervisory role involves both scientific leadership and operational management. The individual would be responsible for ensuring the lab’s success through mentoring and managing team members, overseeing high-quality research, maintaining compliance with ethical and safety standards, securing funding, and fostering collaboration both within and outside the lab. Physical Requirements:Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human bodyLight Work usually requires walking or standing to a signification degree Working Conditions and Environment:Work is routinely performed in a typical interior/office environmentVery limited or no exposure to physical risk "Please No Phone Calls" Due to the large number of applications submitted and the high volume of applicant inquiries we receive regarding the status of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or walk-in inquiries regarding applicant status. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. EOE Statement Harris-Stowe State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and assigned for this position. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it limited to all duties and responsibilities associated with the position. HSSU management reserves the right to amend and change the responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.