| Research Scientist
Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory
Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.
The Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seeks applicants for a Research Scientist position to manage and conduct research at the Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory Digital Diagnostics Foundry (DDF), a shared-use nanobiotechnology research facility supporting the wet laboratory research efforts of the Center for Genomic Diagnostics, and is a shared resource of the Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL).
The successful candidate will become a member of the community of Holonyak Laboratory and will work with a large team of research scientists and engineers. The Holonyak Laboratory includes research in the areas of Micro and Nanoelectronics, NEMS/MEMS and integrated systems, Optoelectronics and Nanophotonics, and fabrication of devices in support of nanomedicine and bionanotechnology. Equipment in the Holonyak Laboratory includes Lithography, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Etching, Evaporation / Sputtering Deposition, Chemical Vapor Deposition, E-Beam Lithography, General Chemistry, and Molecular Beam Epitaxy, and includes over 8,000 square feet of class 100 and 1000 cleanrooms. The Holonyak Laboratory is noted for many key inventions which have made modern electronics and photonics industries possible. More information can be found at mntl.illinois.edu.
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit go.illinois.edu/EEO.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Develop and support research capabilities of the Digital Diagnostics Foundry.
- Develop protocols for commercially available ultrasensitive molecular diagnostic platform technologies that include droplet digital PCR, Quanterix Simoa, and NanoString nCounter.
- Serve to support newly developed molecular diagnostic technologies that originate from Illinois faculty research efforts.
- Provide assay services on the technology platforms to "customers" on a fee-for-service basis to support research efforts in disease diagnostics, health/wellness diagnostics, and life science research projects that involve selective detection and quantitation of specific molecules in a variety of media and sample types.
- Proactively identify new technologies that can broadly benefit the research efforts on campus that can utilize biomolecular detection, and writing proposals to obtain financial resources from internal (campus) or external (funding agencies and foundations) sources.
- Participate in campus workshops and symposia to deeply understand how the DDF can best serve multidisciplinary research initiatives, and will deliver presentations about the DDF's capabilities and accomplishments.
- Assume additional appropriate related duties to further the mission of the Lab.
Train and oversee research technicians, graduate students, and postdoctorate scientists on the proper and safe utilization of DDF equipment. - Work closely with faculty, graduate students, and postdoctorate scientists to develop experimental research plans to support their objectives.
- Maintain safety infrastructure and establish and communicate safety protocols for handling viral cultures, bacterial cultures, cell cultures, and blood samples in the Biosafety Level 2 (BL2) facility.
Actively participate in research projects as co-authors on conference and journal papers, invited talks, and other publications. Minimum Qualifications: - PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering or related field.
- At least two years of experience in assay development and assay protocol maintenance for at least one of the commercially available assay technologies (ddPCR, Simoa, nCounter).
Preferred Qualifications: - In vitro molecular diagnostic assay development and delivery of assay services in a clinical diagnostic laboratory environment. Assay development in an environment that includes obtaining regulatory approval. Industry-based experience translating a newly developed assay technology from a research capability to clinical evaluation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Familiarity with BL2 protocols for handling and disposal of materials that may contain human pathogens. Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
Environmental Demands: - The Digital Diagnostics Foundry laboratory is a Biosafety Level 2+ facility; employee must understand proper use of PPE, hoods, and other containment for protection against bio hazards present.
- Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation to perform functions of this position.
- Must be able to move and traverse throughout the Digital Diagnostics Foundry facility, operate the necessary equipment, verbally communicate and converse with laboratory occupants, visually perceive and identify problems with equipment, and move items up to 20 pounds.
- Work environment includes working in close proximity to occupants, visually perceive and identify problems with equipment, and move items up to 20 pounds.
- Work environment includes working in close proximity to laboratory chemicals, compressed gasses, and occasional response to emergency situations.
The Research Scientist position is a full-time, benefits-eligible academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date.
Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
To apply for the Research Scientist position, please create your candidate profile at jobs.illinois.edu and upload in a single PDF: cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references by January 10, 2020. Full consideration will be given to complete applications received by the closing date. For further information regarding application procedures, contact Amy Meharry at amym@illinois.edu or 217-300-6905. The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. |
