Research Manager - Otolaryngology

Position Summary:

Manage the research functions for several department faculty members and assist new faculty in building out their labs. 

Supervise and perform technical and administrative tasks in each faculty lab. Provide daily supervision of lab staff, students, and residents. Ensure adequate supplies for experimental needs and oversee equipment maintenance. Manage lab safety programs to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Serve as a liaison with the Office of Animal Research (OAR) and other university offices related to research. Assist in laboratory space and facilities planning; make recommendations for changes; maintain inventory of laboratory furniture and equipment.

Research associated with otolaryngology is conducted at the bench and in the field. This includes but is not limited to animal and human research with emphasis on laryngeal/airway, cochlear/cochlear lymphatic, and auditory research.

The department currently has assigned research space in the Medical Education Research Facility (MERF), Medical Research Center (MRC), General Hospital (GH), Carver Biomedical Research Building (CBRB), Temporal Bone Lab, the Center for Procedural Skills and Simulation, and animal surgery at the Oakdale Campus.     

Position Responsibilities:

Research:

• In collaboration with the respective faculty members/PIs, coordinate and manage multiple concurrent research projects.
• Manage day-to-day activities within the research laboratories, including such activities as ensuring the operation of essential equipment, maintaining the inventory of supplies, and placing orders as needed.
• Serve as liaison between lab and safety/regulatory offices to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations:

• Oversee research projects of each faculty member, providing technical assistance when needed and analyzing project summaries.
• Perform and train others in animal studies, including live animal surgery and other specific research techniques.
• Maintain the Temporal Bone Lab and be present when residents or other staff are using the space.
• Develop laboratory guidelines; maintain procedures manuals; and/or evaluate new materials and equipment.
• May conduct own research projects.
• Evaluate new research techniques and technologies.

Collect, Analyze, and Summarize Data: Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications:

• Complete literature searches/reviews.
• Supervise data collection and analysis and share with faculty members.
• Assist in the compilation and evaluation of data, and preparation of manuscripts, publications, posters, and grant applications.

Administrative and Project Management:

• Function as liaison between lab and departmental administrative offices on issues such as budget management, fixed asset inventories, purchasing, use of accounts, etc.
• Collaborate with faculty members on capital and safety projects.
• Update and enforce R&D safety, IACUC compliance, IBC, and CLIA regulations.
• Conduct safety walkthroughs, ensure hoods are functioning correctly, and freezers are at proper temperatures.
• Ensure proper allocation of funds from multiple grants in conjunction with the departmental grant accountant.
• Attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast with up-to-date advances.

Facilities and Equipment Management:

• Manage lab facilities and equipment, including purchasing and ensuring proper maintenance.
• Negotiate maintenance contracts and lab supplies bulk purchases.
• Perform lab audits, including animal surgery audits.

Supervision/Staffing:

• Round in all research locations daily.
• Daily coordination of research staff, aware of who is off work. May approve timecards (ELMS) of designated staff.
• Train research staff in proper lab conduct and procedures. May train others in technical areas and complex processes.
• Provide functional or administrative supervision over research staff in multiple lab locations.