Lab Specialist Intermediate or Senior , Department of Surgery
UVA Health·Albemarle County, Virginia
UVA Health·Albemarle County, Virginia
Perform and assist with studies on type 1 diabetes mechanisms using murine models and support human pancreatic islet isolations. Responsibilities include surgical procedures, data collection, and general laboratory maintenance.
The Brayman Lab in the Department of Surgery at the University of Virginia is seeking a Laboratory Specialist Intermediate or Senior to perform and assist with studies investigating the underlying mechanisms of type 1 diabetes and recurrence of diabetes in various murine models of diabetes. The position will also support human pancreatic islet isolations in the GMP islet isolation facility.
Research responsibilities include working with mice and performing/assisting with in vitro and in vivo experiments related to ongoing studies, including: Working with murine models of diabetes, including mouse islet isolation and transplantation Surgical procedures Isolating islets Measuring mouse blood glucose levels Collection of mouse tissue, serum, and blood, including collection of mouse tissue and blood for proteomic studies Assistance with collection and entry of data in electronic media Supporting daily lab activities, maintenance, and general laboratory upkeep Ordering/purchasing materials and supplies, including purchasing through the procurement system Other duties as assigned The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic team-oriented individual with a willingness to learn, collaborate, and take on new challenges. Candidates must be able to: Perform routine laboratory data analysis and research procedures Independently prepare solutions and reagents Perform or learn to work with animal models (including surgical techniques; training provided if necessary) Work diligently with strong attention to detail Analyze and organize work procedures; plan and execute tasks/experiments; interpret and report findings, writing skills Work a flexible schedule when required Train in and comply with BSL-2 procedures Demonstrate reproducibility and strong critical thinking skills
Education: Bachelor's degree required.
3+ years of relevant experience.
Experience working actively in a research laboratory; experience in standard cell biology techniques and murine work Flow cytometry and CyTOF Protein purification (including immunoglobulins such as IgM) and chromatography Experience with Akta go FPLC system Proteomics Experience with mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), glycan preparation, data analysis Immunoassays, including ELISAs Electrophoresis and Western blot PCR, RT-PCR DNA and RNA extractions for NGS, RNAseq/ scRNAseq/ cfRNAseq Tissue culture / in vitro cell culture Histology analysis and immunostaining of tissue sections to back up imaging mass cytometry Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, Immunocryohistochemistry. Stem cells and organoids Imaging mass cytometry Confocal Experience in R and Python, with additional experience in downstream pipeline analysis and additional expertise in statistical and data analysis software Physical Demands This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Position Type & Work Location This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits. This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability. This position has a term limit of 1 year after which continued employment will depend on department need and funding. This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site. About UVA and the Community To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA. Application Timeline Application review will begin after April 27, 2026. Additional Requirements Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0082626. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website. Complete an application with the following documents: Resume Cover Letter Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration. Reference Check Process Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required. Contact For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, jf2sw@virginia.edu. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
Requires a Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of relevant research experience. Preferred candidates have expertise in cell biology, proteomics, and data analysis using R or Python.
Market context
In Virginia, intermediate and senior lab specialist roles in surgery-related settings are often driven by ongoing clinical research and translational work, so candidates with hands-on lab experience are in steady demand. These roles are competitive because employers look for a bachelor’s degree plus several years of research experience, with added value for cell biology, proteomics, and R or Python data analysis. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to match the listed methods and analysis tools.
