Laboratory Manager / Research Assistant II

Working/Functional Title

Laboratory Manager

Position Summary

The Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory in the Departments of Fisheries & Wildlife and Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation seeks a Laboratory Manager to play a central leadership role in an internationally recognized program dedicated to advancing fish health and aquatic animal disease ecology research.

Join a dynamic and impactful team at the Michigan State University – Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory, where cutting-edge research, aquatic animal health diagnostics, and fisheries stock enhancement and conservation come together. Overall, this role is an excellent opportunity for a highly organized and motivated professional who is passionate about aquatic animal health, enjoys leading complex laboratory operations, and wants to contribute to research and diagnostic programs that support fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic animal health.

The overall duty of the Research Assistant II (Laboratory Manager) position will be to coordinate and oversee daily operations of the Michigan State University - Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory, including facilitation of research and diagnostic activities, record keeping, and reporting of results.

In specific, the employee will perform the following duties and have the following responsibilities:

1. Coordinates and oversees laboratory research and diagnostic operations. [30%]
1. Schedules fish health inspections and other diagnostic submissions.
2. Organizes laboratory staff schedules for necropsy, sample transportation, sample processing, diagnostic assay performance, etc.
3. Oversees daily laboratory operational needs, including inventory and ordering of supplies.
4. Oversees routine maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments and equipment to ensure proper functioning, accuracy, and compliance with written specifications.
5. Instructs laboratory staff in correcting equipment malfunctions and approaches to troubleshooting.
2. Acts as a resource/contact person to internal and external individuals regarding research projects, experiments, diagnostics, and health certifications [30%]
1. Compiles and summarizes results, participates in preparing reports.
2. Collects and organizes records; develops and manages databases of laboratory clients, test results, cases, samples, reagents, and projects.
3. Serves as a resource for external technicians and biologists collecting samples for health testing; provides health and testing reports.
3. Plans and coordinates execution of laboratory priorities and logistics. [15%]
1. Assists in interviewing, hiring, training, and reviewing the performance of students and support staff; approves hours for payroll.
2. Submits and manages travel approvals and reimbursements for students and staff regarding lab related travel and expenses.
4. Assists PI in implementing departmental and university operating policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant institutional and regulatory agency requirements/policies. [10%]
1. Manages accurate financial records, balances account ledgers, invoices clients, and follows fiscal regulations for personnel and laboratory needs.
2. Assists with preparation of manuscripts and materials for dissemination of laboratory findings.
3. Provides written progress reports for laboratory projects.
5. Designs and maintains life support systems for cool and cold water fish species utilized for in vivo experiments in compliance with IACUC requirements. [10%]
1. Manages oversight of wet lab space housing research fish.
6. Participates in field work, fish necropsies, and sample collection and processing for research or diagnostic purposes; performs and assists in oversight of experimental/diagnostic assays; records, analyzes, and interprets data to support research projects and laboratory diagnostics. [5%]

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Natural Resources, Microbiology, Fisheries Biology, biological sciences or related science field; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in overseeing research projects and laboratory operations, operating and maintaining a variety of laboratory equipment, performing specialized and difficult analytical and research techniques, and designing research experiments in an area related to research being performed; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or higher in microbiology, fisheries biology, natural Resources, veterinary sciences, biological sciences or a related field; 1-2 years of laboratory experience in microbiology and/or laboratory diagnostics is preferred; experience with creation and maintenance of aquatic animal housing systems. Operational experience managing budgets, inventory, and laboratory supply chains. The individual should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a proven track record of working well with others to accomplish desired goals and objectives; a self-starter who pays attention to detail and is capable of overseeing multiple simultaneous tasks and objectives. Proficiency in MS Office. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Cover letter, resume/CV, and 3 professional references.

Special Instructions

This position is funded for an initial one-year appointment ending one year from the start date. Renewal is contingent upon continued funding; however, current projections indicate funding is expected to be available for up to two additional years.

The position is budgeted at an annual salary of $57,500, with the final salary commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

Typical working hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and will vary to include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays as needed (i.e., is subject to call back in the case of laboratory need and/or in urgent response situations). 

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Tom Loch (lochthom@msu.edu), Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources​ & Dept. of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

About the Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory: Michigan State University is at the forefront of aquatic animal health with a regional effort devoted to the research of infectious and noninfectious diseases of aquatic animals, particularly those affecting fish of the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin. Aquatic animal health research, service, and outreach is interdepartmental, and bridges the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation at the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The faculty and laboratories involved offer a variety of diagnostic and health certification services for publicly and privately managed aquatic animal facilities.

Work Hours

Typical working hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and will vary to include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays as needed (i.e., is subject to call back in the case of laboratory need and/or in urgent response situations

Description of End Date

This is an off date position funded for one year from date of hire with extension contingent upon funding renewal.

Website

https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-res

Summary of Health Risks

Rarely, but on occasion may work with animals (fish) or unfixed animal tissue, and possible exposure to formaldehyde for animal tissue fixation. 

Bidding eligibility ends August 4, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.