University of Chicago
Department
BSD DFI - Metabolomics
About the Department
Job Summary
Responsibilities
Collaborate with internal teams, academic/industry partners, and UChicago clinical staff on study design and data interpretation.
Maintain and troubleshoot LC and GC-MS instruments; perform targeted and untargeted metabolomics experiments.
Support structural elucidation of unknown compounds; and contribute to data analysis, visualizations, and manuscripts as needed.
Develop quantitative same-day blood and fecal assays for a CLIA/CAP clinical lab.
Author SOPs covering sample handling, data collection, QC validation, and instrumentation logs; maintain reagents, solvents, calibrators, and QC materials.
Enforce BSL-2 and chemical safety protocols; execute daily (Mon–Fri) sample testing and data reporting for clinical trials; and coordinate sample logistics and results communication with clinical and DFI teams.
Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
Spearheaded mass spectrometry-based metabolic quantitation withing a CLIA/CAP regulated environment, ensuring rigorous compliance with clinical quality standards and method validation requirements.
3+ years of hands-on expertise across the full MS data spectrum – targeted, untargeted, and quantitative workflows – to drive actionable insights and support high-throughput analytical pipelines.
Established track record analyzing microbially derived metabolites across complex biological systems, with focused in gut microbiome metabolomics from both human and murine models.
Preferred Competencies
End-to-end proficiency in GC-MS and LC-MS analytical pipelines across targeted and untargeted metabolomic workflows, from method development and sample preparation through data acquisition, analysis, and reporting; including experience with complex biological matrices and CLIA/CAP-regulated environments.
Proven ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex data clearly to diverse scientific and clinical audiences.
Detail-oriented and deadline-driven, with rigorous record-keeping practices and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously without sacrificing quality.
Working Conditions
BSL-2 Laboratory environment.
Physically capable of moving, connecting, and disconnecting gas cylinders that can weigh up to 200 pounds.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (preferred)
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When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
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
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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