Research Professional, Metabolomics

Department

BSD CCC - Metabolomics Platform

About the Department

The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant provides funding for ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center is comprised of over 190 faculty members from twenty departments with members currently being awarded over $47 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $28 million in non-peer reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, communications, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management and community outreach.

UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area with nearly 500 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC commitment to translate basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early phase studies. UCCCC opens over 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.

Job Summary

The job performs routine assignments that facilitate and promote a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource. Receives instruction, guidance, and direction from others.

The Metabolomics Platform provides advanced mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, lipidomics and stable isotope tracing services to support basic, translational and clinical research. Under the direction of the Metabolomics Platform Director, this position supports day-to-day platform operations, including sample preparation, LC-MS analysis, data processing, quality control, method development, and interpretation of metabolomics and lipidomics data. The individual will work collaboratively with investigators, students, research staff, and other platform personnel and will contribute to the continued development and implementation of new analytical technologies and workflows.

Responsibilities

• Operates high-resolution LC-MS instrumentation and associated liquid chromatography systems for metabolite and lipid profiling, targeted quantification, and stable isotope tracing studies.
• Performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of metabolites and lipids using specialized mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and data-analysis software.
• Processes and evaluates LC-MS data, including peak detection and integration, metabolite identification/annotation, normalization, quality-control assessment, and statistical analysis.
• Prepares calibration standards, internal standards, stock solutions, extraction solvents, mobile phases, and other reagents required for LC-MS analyses.
• Performs routine instrument performance checks, system suitability testing, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting of LC-MS and sample-preparation workflows. Identifies technical problems and assists in implementing corrective actions.
• Maintains detailed and accurate documentation of sample preparation, instrument methods, method development and optimization, quality-control procedures, experimental results, and data-analysis workflows.
• Assists with the development, validation, optimization, and implementation of new metabolomics and lipidomics methods to expand the analytical capabilities of the Platform.
• Supports stable isotope tracing and other specialized metabolomics experiments, including data processing and interpretation as appropriate.
• Assists investigators with interpretation and visualization of metabolomics and lipidomics results and contributes to the preparation of publication-quality figures, reports, manuscripts, presentations, and other scientific documents.
• Conducts literature reviews related to metabolomics, lipidomics, mass spectrometry, analytical methods, and biological interpretation of experimental findings.
• Maintains organized sample records, experimental data, analytical results, and associated metadata and ensures appropriate storage and management of samples and data.
• Works closely with the Metabolomics Platform Director to coordinate sample submissions, prioritize projects, schedule instrument usage, track project progress, and maintain efficient day-to-day workflow.
• Interacts collaboratively with faculty investigators, research staff, postdoctoral fellows, students, and other platform users to support successful completion of metabolomics and lipidomics projects.
• Assists the Platform Director in evaluating and implementing emerging technologies, analytical methods, software tools, and workflows that advance the scientific and technical capabilities of the Metabolomics Platform.
• Maintains laboratory supplies and consumables, monitors inventory, and assists with ordering reagents, columns, standards, and other materials required for platform operations.
• Follows established laboratory safety procedures, quality-control practices, instrument operating procedures, and institutional policies.
• Performs experiments and collects and analyzes data. Participates in the promotion of a research project.
• Participates in the preparation and writing of grant applications and reports, and co-authors/authors scientific research manuscripts. Provides peer review of grant applications and scientific manuscripts.
• 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 < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Knowledge of analytical chemistry, biochemistry, metabolomics, lipidomics, or mass spectrometry.
• Experience with LC-MS sample preparation and operation of high-resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation.
• Familiarity with chromatographic techniques such as HILIC and reversed-phase chromatography.
• Experience with metabolomics, lipidomics, targeted quantification, or stable isotope tracing. Experience with mass spectrometry and metabolomics data-processing software and basic statistical/data-analysis approaches.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to troubleshoot analytical workflows and independently identify and resolve routine technical problems.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in sample tracking, experimental documentation, and data management.
• Ability to manage multiple research projects and priorities in a collaborative core-facility environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively interact with investigators and research personnel from diverse scientific backgrounds.

Working Conditions

• Lab Environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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

$60,000.00 - $80,000.00

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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