Chicago, IL, USA
5 days ago
Associate Director, DFI Metabolomics

Department

BSD DFI - Metabolomics


About the Department

The Duchossois Family Institute (DFI) investigates the role of the microbiome in resistance and susceptibility to infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. The microbiome consists of complex populations of microbes that can be characterized using a multi-omics approach. We have established a metabolomics facility within the DFI to identify, measure and characterize the metabolites found in the gut and throughout the host. We aim to support the understanding of how these molecules function in microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions. The DFI metabolomics laboratory supports the University of Chicago and external clients through experimental design, creation of custom analyses methods, and analyzed data visualizations for publications. Our team creates quantitative methods using mass spectrometry for clinical applications and perform routine metabolite sample preparation and analysis.


Job Summary

The job develops and implements programs to promote a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource.

Responsibilities

Works with graduate students, post-docs, and faculty to design and carry out targeted and untargeted metabolomic experiments.

Develops robust sample preparation methods.

Drafts SOPs for all development methods and processes.

Develops robust methods using GCMS and LCMS (reverse phase, HILIC; triple quad, high-resolution, MS/MS) for the targeted and untargeted analysis of microbial metabolites.

Facilitates the structural elucidation of unknown compounds.

Quantifies concentrations of microbial metabolites using LCMS and GCMS.

Aids laboratory director and the hospital in setting up and validating mass spectrometry-based test for CLIA approval and clinical use.

Develops purification methods for new compounds of interest to collaborators or the institute.

Analyzes mass spectrometry metabolomic data using specialized software programs.

Provides technical direction to research technicians and research specialists.

Performs research with an emphasis on data quality and integrity in a time efficient manner.

Performs the above tasks independently with minimal supervision.

Meets with collaborators and clients to design and execute robust and accurate experiments for metabolomic analyses.

Meets with collaborators and clients to interpret data.

Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Facilitates and promotes a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.

Develops laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage, analyze and make recommendations on complex data sets for research.

Creates first drafts for scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.

Trains and mentors laboratory personnel.

Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.


Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.


Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, or related field.

Experience:

Previous experience in analysis of microbially derived metabolites, preferably from the gut microbiome of human or murine environments or other complex microbial communities.

2+ years analyzing targeted, untargeted, and quantitative mass spectrometry data.

Preferred Competencies

Experience with basic chromatography (e.g. Reverse phase, Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), mass spectrometry techniques and method development including GCMS and LCMS (e.g. triple quad, high-resolution, tandem mass spec).

Experience in troubleshooting GCMS and LCMS instruments/systems.

Experience developing quantitative small molecule methods using GCMS and LCMS.

Experience utilizing basic chemical and biochemical knowledge towards the measurement and/or characterization of small molecules using mass spectrometry.

Experience in structural elucidation and unknown identification, preferably of natural products.

Experience using statistical analysis tools to develop high-throughput data analysis tools.

Experience in metabolomic sample prep, mass spectrometry analysis, and rigorous statistical data analysis of multi-omic data sets is strongly preferred.

Experience developing automated high-throughput mass spectrometry methods and data analysis pipelines.

Experience in untargeted metabolomics data analysis pipelines.

Experience collaborating with investigators on multi-disciplinary projects surrounding human and murine samples.

Working Conditions

Laboratory environment for wet bench work.

Office environment for dry lab data analysis.

Must have physical ability to move gas cylinders.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (preferred)


When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.


Job Family

Research


Role Impact

Individual Contributor


Scheduled Weekly Hours

40


Drug Test Required

No


Health Screen Required

Yes


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No


Pay Rate Type

Salary


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$80,000.00 - $100,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.


Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.


Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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