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Posted: 10-Jul-26
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Categories:
Internal Number: 279539
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
NOTE: This is a one year term-limited position at 50% effort.
The Museum Anthropological Archaeology is looking to hire a highly motivated individual to join the Ancient Protein and Isotope Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Alicia Ventresca-Miller. The Ancient Protein Laboratory is a state of the art facility with separate areas for sampling and extraction of proteins. Our facility has the potential to extract proteins from a wide variety of archaeological samples including dental calculus, bone, enamel, as well as residues from ceramics and tools. The Isotope Laboratory is a dedicated space for the analysis of archaeological materials, including enamel, bone, dentin, and plants. This state of the art facility includes areas for collagen extraction, the preparation of organic samples, and a separate drilling room for sub-sampling of archaeological materials. We also have a dedicated location for the extraction of proteins and preparation of sample plates for ZooMS.
The Ancient Protein and Isotope Research Laboratory Specialist primarily oversees the operation and safety of the laboratory. This includes ensuring compliance with safety regulations, providing training, and supervision to students and colleagues. They also manage equipment maintenance, quality control, and may be involved in research project oversight. The lab supervisor should also ensure the availability of reagents and consumables necessary for standard operating procedures.
50% Personnel Supervision and Management:
Provides appropriate supervision of students or colleagues, considering their experience and competence. Oversees and evaluates the performance of undergraduate and graduate students or colleagues performing laboratory testing. Oversees the scheduling for open lab hours. Manages scheduling of students or colleagues to ensure adequate materials are available to complete the necessary protocol. Oversees maintenance and performance of instrumentation, including validations, calibrations, and inventory management. Ensures the completion of required quality control procedures. Responsible for the regulatory conformance of the laboratory. Oversees inventory control processes.
30% Project Management
Oversees the projects of undergraduate students and colleagues to make sure that they are following the appropriate protocol. Ensures that the laboratory has been properly cleaned and maintained (with the help of the students or colleagues who have been working in the laboratory). Develops, designs and conducts one or more small or moderately complex research experiments in line with plan, reviews progress and evaluates results. Formulates research methods and suggests options for improving quality, identifies potential problems, recommends and implements solutions, and collaborates in the development of new techniques. Assists with collagen extraction and ZooMS. Trains users in equipment operation and laboratory techniques, explains and demonstrates technology and equipment capabilities, operations, limitations and outcomes. Coordinates data collection and screening and verifies the data. Conducts analysis of data, interprets and implements research methodology based on outcome of analysis. Provide assistance to the principal investigator in the overall management of the laboratory.
20% Safety and Compliance
Ensure the laboratory is following university guidelines; ensuring that all students and colleagues receive proper training on safety hazards and safe work practices. Dealing with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develops and implements written SOPs for various laboratory operations, including biological, chemical, and physical hazards. Ensures the availability, proper maintenance, and appropriateness of safety equipment and personal protective equipment. Maintains compliance with environmental regulations, including hazardous waste management.
Bachelor's degree and 4-5 years of experience in a related field such as Chemistry, Archaeology or Biology. Previous experience in a wet laboratory. Previous experience working in an archaeological chemistry laboratory in areas such as collagen extraction, ZooMS as well as the preparation of organic samples.
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