Core Facility Manager: Provides complex scientific and technical leadership in determining research priorities and the plan, design and execution of histology research projects ensuring that core facility operations meets the needs of PI laboratories. Plans, develops, and implements new experiments and protocols to support research studies and maximize/extend lab capabilities. Sets-up and troubleshoots custom protocols and conducts independent research techniques, procedures, and experiments. Co-authors scientific papers for presentation and publication, participates in grant preparation and reporting. Will manage lab employees, and develop and administer budgets, grants, and/or administrative procedures. Ensures adherence to all associated rules and regulations.
Specific Responsibilities
Consults with and advises Principal Investigators (PI) in identifying and defining problems that can be resolved with scientific research.
Organizes and plans experiments in conjunction with PI and/or lab staff.
Establishes control methods, techniques and procedures as required for specific projects and research studies.
Guides lab staff in conducting research.
Regularly reviews scientific literature and evaluates and recommends state-of-the-art/cutting-edge applicable techniques and procedures.
Ensure laboratory tests are accurately performed and results are reported in a timely manner
Monitor daily workflow in the lab and schedule adequate assay coverage
Research and resolve any production errors while escalating when necessary
Comfortability making decisions in a changing environment
Engage in continuous process and service level improvements
Ensure all equipment is being properly maintained through Quality Control
Evaluate new process improvements and make appropriate recommendations
Perform bench work as needed and maintain proficiency/competency in technical operations
Administration
Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets data to determine relevance to research.
Prepares results and co-authors scientific papers for presentation and publication.
Disseminates information via seminars, lectures, etc.
Creates data for use in grant submission and develop new proposals for research including obtaining financial support.
Identifies and/or acquires new equipment and/or facilities.
Acts as liaison between sponsoring agencies, collaborating organizations and/or other research and/or educational institutions.
Ensures adherence to all current local, state, and federal regulatory requirements, laws, and research protocols, and oversees all required filings, approvals, documentation and reports.
Finance
Creates and/or manages research budget which may include deciding on and approving expenditures of funds based on budget.
Monitors accounts.
Negotiates prices and specifications with vendors.
Purchases supplies, materials, equipment, and services.
Ensures appropriate allocation and compliance.
Supervision
Trains, directs, mentors and assigns duties to lab staff
Provides instruction to lab users on technically complex procedures, equipment & instruments.
Typically manages a lab budget of $500,000+; 2,500+ nasf of space & supervises 4+ lab members.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a scientific major or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 10 years' lab/bench or other relevant experience.
Supervisory or project management experience required.
Experience with a lead role in project generation required.
Experience with a lead role in manuscript publication required.
Ability to handle the contending priorities of multiple clients: internal and external.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
4+ years’ Histology laboratory experience in clinical, research, or industrial setting with a practical focus on IHC: including optimization, operation, functionality, and support of both manual and automated IHC instrumentation and related products preferred.
Experience with techniques and data interpretation relevant for Histology, Immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ
Detailed knowledge of FFPE and Frozen Sample Processing Workflows.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Knowledge and understanding of Animal Pathology
Knowledge and understanding of Histology and Immunohistochemistry
The mission of the Northwestern University Mouse Histology & Phenotyping Laboratory (MHPL) is to assist Northwestern University investigators with tissue histopathology for experimental animal research. The laboratory provides comprehensive histology services for all rodent species (i.e., mouse, rat, etc.) which includes phenotyping consultation of organs and tissues, dissection and tissue processing, and one-on-one consultation with investigators. The lab generates unstained paraffin and frozen sections for investigators to be used for special staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RNAscope. Pathologist consultation is also available to help researchers develop strategies maximize the value of their tissue-based experiments. In addition, the laboratory provides opportunities for researchers to learn histology techniques and phenotyping analysis.
