Laboratory Manager (Senior Research Technologist)

Summary

The CDU Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research (IABR) is recruiting a skilled individual to provide advanced scientific and technical expertise in mass spectrometry–based proteomics to support and drive the laboratory’s research mission. This position combines hands-on work with scientific leadership, including experimental design, method development, training, and data interpretation. The incumbent will oversee the operation of state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS instrumentation, contribute to publication and external funding efforts, and serve as a core resource for proteomics expertise across research teams.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

Administrative

• Develops standard operating protocols and manages overall function for CDU research labs and Core labs.
• Implement a new laboratory management system (Agilent iLab) for all specialized equipment, see equipment list below.

Research & Experimental Design

• Design, plan, and independently conduct proteomics and mass spectrometry experiments, including protein/peptide preparation, quantitative proteomics (e.g., SILAC, TMT, iTRAQ), and targeted or discovery-based workflows.
• Develop and optimize new methodologies for protein/peptide separation, enrichment, and analysis.
• Collaborate with PIs and investigators to shape experimental design and align proteomic approaches with research objectives.

Instrument & Workflow Leadership

• Operate, maintain, and oversee mass spectrometry platforms (e.g., Orbitrap, timsTOF, Q-TOF, ion-trap) and associated LC systems.
• Lead the development and implementation of SOPs for proteomics workflows.
• Monitor system performance, conduct troubleshooting, and ensure rigorous quality control.

Scientific Contribution & Collaboration

• Analyze and interpret proteomics datasets, collaborating with bioinformatics teams to ensure robust data pipelines.
• Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and grant proposals with high-level scientific input.
• Serve as an institutional resource for proteomics expertise, fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Training & Mentorship

• Train and mentor junior scientists, technicians, students, and postdocs in proteomics methods and mass spectrometry operation.
• Provide guidance on study design, experimental troubleshooting, and data analysis strategies.
• Promote a collaborative, team-based research culture.

Laboratory Oversight

• Supervise daily proteomics operations, including scheduling of instrument time, reagent management, and vendor interactions.
• Ensure compliance with safety, biosafety, and chemical handling regulations.
• Implement a new laboratory management system (Agilent iLab) for all specialized equipment, see equipment list below.

Major Equipment Will Include:

1. Next Generation Sequencing Core
   1. Illumina Nextseq 550
   2. Ion Torrent S5
   3. 10x Genomics Chromium IX
   4. BioRad digital PCR Instrument
2. Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Core
   1. Agilent 1260 Infinity II HPLC
   2. Agilent LCMS 6495B
   3. OpenSPR and benchtop NMR
3. Exosome and MicroRNA Core
   1. Nanosight NS300
   2. Thermofisher WX90 Ultracentrifuge
4. Flow Cytometry and Microscopy Core
   1. Attune NXT Flow Cytometry
   2. BD Melody Cell Sorter
   3. Muse Cell Analyzer
   4. Confocal Microscope Systems with Lasers-TCS SPEII
   5. Cytation 1 Live Imager
   6. Zeiss PALM Microbeam Lase Microdissection

Other Duties And Responsibilities:

• Develop a business model for Laboratory Research Operation
• Develop external user contacts for the core Services.
• Availability to work on weekends and evenings to complete time-sensitive projects.
• Oversee Laboratory staff, including research assistants and technicians.
• Work with CDU Facility management, security, and departments.

Education:

• PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Proteomics, or a related field with 2+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience, OR
• Master’s degree with 5+ years of proteomics/mass spectrometry experience, OR
• Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years of advanced proteomics experience.

Experience:

• Expertise in LC-MS/MS workflows for proteomics, including quantitative and label-free approaches.
• Proficiency with data analysis platforms (e.g., MaxQuant, Proteome Discoverer, Skyline, Spectronaut).
• Familiarity with metabolomics, lipidomics, or multi-omics integration is desirable.
• Strong record of troubleshooting, innovation, and method development.

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate across diverse research teams.
• Strong scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Proven mentoring, leadership, and project management experience.

Compensation:

• $130,000 Annual

Position Status:

• Full Time, Exempt

Complexity:

• Laboratory-based role requiring regular use of high-end mass spectrometry platforms and handling of biological and chemical materials.
• Flexibility to occasionally work evenings or weekends to accommodate instrument scheduling and project needs.
• Provides scientific and technical leadership for laboratory staff, collaborators, and junior researchers.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Occasional stooping. Frequent standing. Constant walking, sitting, climbing, reaching high/low levels, finger movement, feeling, speaking clearly, hearing conversationally, and seeing far and near.

Work Environment:

• The position is on-site unless there is specific authorization from the PI/Director.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Occasionally required to work in a confined space.

Mental Demands:

• The mental demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Frequent variety of unrelated tasks. Constant calculating, interrupted work, a variety of interrelated tasks, and use of sustained concentration, reasoning, judgment, resourcefulness, analytical ability, and ingenuity.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.
• As a health professions institution of higher education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science seeks to protect the health and safety of the University community. As a condition of enrollment and employment, students, faculty, and staff must comply with the current CDU COVID-19 requirements as described on the CDU COVID-19 webpage.  Please visit the CDU Return to Campus website https://www.cdrewu.edu/covid-policy/ or email the Campus Nursing Office at nurseofficer@cdrewu.edu.

Conditional Employment:

The employment status of this position is classified as “Conditional.” Conditional employment means that the job exists contingent upon continued funding and limitations of restricted funds or, the duration of a specific program, project, grant, or contract. Since your salary is funded by (Axis Research Cap. and 2/28/2025), your position is contingent upon the continued receipt of these funds.   Continuation of your position is dependent, in part, upon funding availability.  Furthermore, no work may be performed after the grant end date(s) unless you have received an extension in writing from a Dean, Division VP, or Human Resources.

EEO Statement: Charles R. Drew University is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.

Fair Chance Statement: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local “Fair Chance” laws.