https://jobs.plantae.org Latest Plantae Jobs Jobs Sat, 16 May 2026 10:59:54 Z https://jobs.plantae.org/jobs/rss/22270632/senior-research-assistant-lab-manager-plant-resilience-research https://jobs.plantae.org/jobs/rss/22270632/senior-research-assistant-lab-manager-plant-resilience-research East Lansing, Michigan, Position Summary We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic research assistant to work in the lab of Dr. Sue Rhee, a leader in plant resilience research at Michigan State University (Lansing, MI). The Rhee lab combines computational and experimental approaches to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive strategies in plants ( https://www.rheelab.org/ ). The successful candidate will support collaborative projects related to molecular and cell biology and collaborative, international, and transdisciplinary projects, in addition to carrying out lab management and supervisory duties.  Responsibilities    Research activities (45%)   Oversee and participate in experimental biology research projects in the Rhee lab in cell and molecular biology  Manage microscopes in the lab as well as train and support lab scientists on various cell biology and microscopy techniques including live imaging using confocal microscopy  Train and support lab members on standard and emerging molecular biology techniques and methods  Develop techniques for collecting, interpreting and analyzing research data   Collaborate and coordinate experiments with multiple labs and multidisciplinary teams   Independently conduct experiments  Maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes  Write publications  Present ongoing work to colleagues and conferences   Participate in grant writing to fund the related projects  Lab management (25%)  Maintain organization of research material and lab space   Support general lab operation by negotiating with vendors, placing and receiving orders of supplies and equipment   Manage lab inventories and record databases   Maintain lab stock of consumables and reagents including stock monitoring  Work with the administrative managers to ensure expenses are being appropriately charged to accounts and track expense levels to ensure research expenses stay within awarded grants  Set up new instruments and develop user instructions   Manage and execute equipment maintenance and material repairs/replacement ensuring they are functional and work efficiently  Develop standard protocols and procedures, make modifications to existing procedures and protocols if needed   Manage laboratory software and user licenses   Apply, maintain, and ensure compliance for material transfer agreements (MTA) and permits Update calendars, google drive, rosters and email lists  Take notes and record zoom meetings  Serve as a point of contact, can receive calls outside routine work hours for lab emergencies and address them  Assist coordinators and managers for events  Supervision, hiring, training and mentoring (20%)   Coordinate mentorship and training for students, research assistants and support staff in basic molecular, cellular, and plant biology techniques  Assist scientists and provide training and guidance for standard lab procedures   Provide advice and information on laboratory H&S, risk assessments and other control measures as appropriate   Serve as a technical resource and source of lab knowledge for wet-lab experiments and personnel  Provide recommendations and guidelines on experimental design, research direction, data analysis, imaging and microscopy work, and assist in brainstorming and planning future research projects   Foster a creative and diverse research environment    Write and/or contribute to recommendation letters  Coordinate wet-lab research projects and personnel within the Rhee lab and center level grants to ensure research milestones are achieved  Serve as a lab representative for recruiting research personnel   New hire onboarding Train incoming personnel in best practices for recording data, organizing reagents and materials, and maintaining records  Give general lab and safety induction to new staff   Identify the hiring department and college, assigned HR contact, and search committee members Draft the job description and coordinate with HR to post the position Advertise the position in partnership with the PRI Communications team Coordinate and schedule initial and full interviews, including Zoom logistics and candidate communications Track applications, evaluations, approvals, and committee feedback throughout the process Support HR during the hiring stage, including reference checks, offer preparation, and onboarding coordination Supervise support staff, support and maintain probation, interim, and annual evaluation processes, promote training and developmental opportunities Other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties within this job classification (10%) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The successful candidate should have a demonstrated ability for independent and critical thinking, creativity, strong written/verbal communication, strong interpersonal skills, be able to coordinate between people from diverse fields, and have enthusiasm for learning and mastering new techniques. Additionally, the candidate is expected to help mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the lab and should have strong previous experience in mentoring and/or training students in a research laboratory setting.   The job requires someone who is diplomatic, proactive, highly organized with a good judgment and common sense, attentive to details, excellent at record keeping and problem-solving, with good time management and workload prioritization skills, able to manage multiple and competing priorities, work well with students, have strong skills in coordinating researchers, communicate effectively across disciplines, and have a strong commitment to a culturally diverse, inclusive, and evolving workplace.  This is an off-dated position, with initial assignment for one year from date of hire, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal. Minimum Requirements Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired through completion of one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master's in Plant biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or Living Imaging in the specific field of research employment; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research methodologies, writing reports , supervision, software, data interpretation and handling in area related to research being performed in lab experience and a broad expertise in experimental approaches in molecular biology and engineering (cloning, recombinant DNA technology, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing), cell culture, cell and tissue fixation, embedding and sectioning, plant transformation, imaging and microscopy (light, fluorescence, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy).; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Desired Qualifications Ph. D in plant biology (or a related field; molecular biology, cell biology, or live imaging) and Ph.D. degree level and years of experience in position duties and research area are preferred. Tue, 12 May 2026 12:40:52 -0400