The Carver College of Medicine (CCOM) is seeking a Core Facility Research Manager/Director to serve as the Technical Director for the Office of Research Viral Vector Core. This position provides scientific and technical leadership in the management, design, and execution of the Viral Vector Core research support facility, with a focus on vector production.

The successful candidate will establish and maintain a culture of collaboration, respect, integrity, and service while ensuring all team members are held to the same high standards of professionalism and ethics. This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Core, including staff selection, assignment and scheduling, monitoring facility funds, coordinating vector production and shipping, overseeing data management and sample identification, and directing the acquisition and use of equipment and facilities.

The Technical Director will maintain collaborative relationships with sponsoring agencies, research organizations, and other research and educational institutions, while fostering effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the public.

Primary Duties

Specialized Services / Application of Research Protocols

• Serve as the frontline scientific, technical, and administrative leader of the Viral Vector Core, providing expertise in the operation of a core research facility.
• Interact with investigators to support new projects and provide technical guidance in specialized areas of research.
• Manage HDAd production, including project communication, cell culture, transfection, vector amplification, purification, and quality control assays. Oversee and assist, as needed, with AAV, lentiviral, Ad5, and vaccinia vector production.
• Oversee or conduct experiments, simulations, or theoretical investigations, and independently develop new experimental methods to support the facility's strategic plan and advance research activities.

Literature Review / Data Analysis

• Stay current with developments in vector production through ongoing literature review.
• Seek collaboration and expertise from investigators in the field as needed.
• Review production data in detail when troubleshooting issues arise.
• Oversee high-level management of all projects within the vector core and review projects prior to shipping and closure.
• Develop new data analysis techniques or methodologies.

Education, Training, and Consultation

• Provide daily functional supervision and orientation for new staff members and advanced training on equipment, vector purification, and quality control procedures.
• May present educational courses or seminars in areas of expertise.
• Provide technical consultation within the full-service core facility.
• At the request of investigators, review methods sections of research papers related to the core facility's specialty prior to publication submission.

Facilities, Equipment, and Information Management

• Serve as the primary contact for acquiring equipment quotes, determining specifications, and procuring parts and services.
• Supervise installation of new equipment.
• Test new equipment to ensure it meets specifications before authorizing payment.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures, procure repair parts, implement repairs, supervise field service engineers and facility staff, and test equipment after repairs to ensure proper function.
• Determine specifications for upgrading or purchasing new instruments and implementing new specialized services.
• Develop and implement maintenance schedules, procedures, and techniques.
• Perform or supervise preventive maintenance on instrumentation and equipment.
• Assist the Department of Facilities Management in specifying, implementing, and supervising facility modifications or upgrades.
• Ensure facility and equipment comply with safety regulations and University Environmental Health and Safety standards.
• Develop and manage operational systems such as billing programs, facility reservation systems, data servers, and data backup and archiving systems.
• Optimize the use of facilities and equipment.
• Remain current on emerging techniques, software programs, and instrumentation in the field.

Administrative and Financial Responsibilities for Fee-for-Service Operation

• Conduct cost analyses and determine service charges for the Viral Vector Core.
• Update the online catalog and website with new information and pricing.
• Manage billing, shipping, and other financial aspects of the core.
• Oversee operational, fiscal, and HR/staffing activities of the facility.
• Prepare and manage budget expenditures.
• Prepare "state-of-the-facility" reports and presentations for the university, college, or external research funding agencies.
• Develop and manage internal and external communications, including print and web-based materials.
• May write or assist with research proposals or grants to secure funding for new instrumentation and techniques that enhance the core facility's research capabilities.

Human Resources / Supervision

• Hire, manage, and evaluate staff.
• Support staff development, prepare promotion materials, and provide consultation to the Director during annual reviews.
• Manage the annual Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) review and ensure the laboratory and staff remain compliant with safety requirements.

For a full job description, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below.

Percent of Time: 100%

Pay Grade: 6A

https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/guide-pay-plans

Benefits Highlights:

-Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree in an appropriate field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• A minimum of five years or related experience.
• Demonstrate job-related experience with fostering a welcoming and respectful work environment and/or otherwise demonstrate their ability to foster a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment for people from all types of backgrounds.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Familiarity with broad virus families.
• Experience with production of viruses and viral vectors.

Desirable Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Virology, or related field.
• Experience with Virus Engineering.
• Experience with optimization of protocols.
• Experience with quality control measures.
• Demonstrated innovation with viral engineering.
• Familiarity with University of Iowa Policies and Procedures.
• Prior supervisory experience.

Position and Application Details

Applicants must upload a Resume and Cover Letter and mark them as a 'Relevant File' in order to be considered.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed after the posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested later in the recruitment process.