Research Specialist – Neurosurgery Full-time NEW

Research Specialist Position

The Lazaro Lab is recruiting for a Research Specialist to help launch a translational research program focused on microvascular failure after ischemic stroke. This is a foundational hire who will work directly with the principal investigator (Dr. Tyler Lazaro) to establish experimental platforms, organize laboratory operations, and independently conduct complex experiments. The successful candidate will contribute to experimental planning while taking primary responsibility for protocol execution, optimization, and troubleshooting.

About the Lazaro Lab: Beyond recanalization – targeting the post-ischemic microvasculature. The Lazaro Lab investigates why restoring flow through an occluded artery does not always rescue ischemic brain tissue. We study how distal capillary inflammation, no-reflow, impaired clearance, and maladaptive immune signaling sustain ischemia and propagate injury after recanalization. By combining patient-derived thrombectomy specimens with mechanistic stroke models, we seek therapeutic targets for the next generation of stroke treatments.

The ideal candidate is rigorous, organized, technically curious, and excited to help build a new laboratory. They enjoy taking ownership of experiments, solving practical problems, and working across clinical and basic-science environments. We value careful experimentation, intellectual honesty, open communication, collaboration, and mentorship.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Performs complex analyses, experiments and project work under general direction of the PI. Serves as representative for PI and ensures procedures and protocols are adhered to consistently and effectively meet department's standard. Exhibits a high degree of independent problem solving and ability to conduct research on assigned projects. May serve in lead role as needed.
• Establishes workflows for processing, preserving, and tracking thrombectomy-retrieved clots and related biospecimens.
• Performs molecular, histologic, and imaging assays and prepare limited clinical specimens for multi-omic analysis.
• Conducts or trains in animal models of cerebral ischemia, microvascular injury, and meningeal lymphatic function.
• Plans, develops, organizes and formalizes research results and findings. May develop for presentation and/or present on behalf of department. Conducts literature searches related to research projects. Writes/co-authors publications and/or papers supporting research findings in logical and sometimes multiple formats tailored to audiences. May participate in work related to grants.
• Solves practical problems relating to difficulty with equipment or test subjects. Suggests technical/procedural improvements in various methods. May develop and optimize experimental procedures and protocols. Provide high-level troubleshooting to advance process or lab procedures.
• Serves as department's research representative and may participate in various related meetings and events. Gathers/delivers data/information and serves as subject matter expert. Performs statistical data analysis, as needed. Presents research information to internal and/or external audiences.
• Organizes and maintains required documentation on lab and/or specimen conditions and can develop and summarize information into usable formats or presentations on behalf of the department. May communicate findings to various users or external audiences.
• Performs all related work in accordance with established protocols and safety/compliance requirements.
• May explain methods, lead or train other personnel or observers.

Applicant Special Instructions: Applicants should submit their CV, brief letter of interest, and relevant references for review.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
• Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Laboratory Setting (4 Years)

More About This Job

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct multi-step experiments.
• Strong experimental troubleshooting, organization, documentation, and communication skills.
• Willingness to work with human biospecimens and animal models following appropriate training.

Experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Human biospecimen processing, molecular biology, or low-input sample preparation.
• Small animal procedures, vascular biology, or neuroinflammation.
• Histology, immunofluorescence, microscopy, or quantitative image analysis.
• Laboratory organization, protocol development, or biobanking.

Candidates are not expected to have prior experience with every technique.

Grade

R09

Salary Range

$41,700.00 – $75,600.00 / AnnuallyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal:

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness:

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family:

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.