Research Scientist

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Open Date 07/02/2025 Requisition Number PRN42371B Job Title Research Scientist Working Title Research Scientist Job Grade F FLSA Code Professional Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary VP Area President Department 01354 - HCI Early Translational Cores Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range 47600 to 88000 Close Date 08/31/2025 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) Job Summary

The Precision Cancer Models (PCM) Shared Resource at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) is seeking a PhD-level Research Scientist to lead and support advanced preclinical research. PCM enables translational cancer research by providing access to sophisticated in vivo and in vitro cancer models, with a focus on patient-derived xenografts (PDX), organoids (PDO), and therapeutic testing. The Research Scientist will design, execute, and oversee experiments, serve as a key scientific collaborator for cancer investigators at HCI and the University of Utah, and contribute to the PCM's mission of advancing cancer treatment through high-quality preclinical science.

This position requires deep technical knowledge, scientific independence, strong communication skills, and a service-oriented mindset. Candidates should demonstrate experience in cancer biology, drug development, and/or in vivo modeling, along with a commitment to mentorship and team leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in cancer biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or a related biomedical field.
• At least 2 years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience; experience in preclinical model systems strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with in vivo experimentation and/or in vitro cancer modeling.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists or technical staff.
• Commitment to collaborative research and service to the cancer research community

Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve - which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming - with impact worldwide.

In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute's mission and this position.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage in vivo and in vitro studies to evaluate therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacodynamics.
• Guide model selection (PDX, PDO, syngeneic, GEMM, cell-line xenografts) and experimental strategy in collaboration with investigators.
• Perform and/or supervise experimental procedures including cell culture, tumor implantation, drug administration, imaging, and tissue harvest.
• Analyze and interpret data; prepare figures, reports, and content for grants and publications.
• Serve as a primary scientific liaison between PCM and collaborating investigators.
• Provide training and mentorship to junior staff and students in preclinical techniques and data analysis.
• Ensure compliance with institutional guidelines (IACUC, IBC, EHS); contribute to protocol development and review.
• Participate in teaching activities such as protocol instruction, team-wide training sessions, and workshops.
• Maintain and operate specialized equipment (e.g., IVIS, microCT, irradiator); ensure quality control and documentation.
• Contribute to PCM operations including resource planning, experimental timelines, and shared protocol development.

Work Culture & Expectations

The PCM is a dynamic Shared Resource that exists to support the cancer research community at HCI and the University of Utah. As a service-oriented team, we take pride in helping investigators design and implement rigorous, reproducible preclinical studies that accelerate cancer discoveries. Our culture emphasizes scientific excellence, professionalism, and collaborative problem-solving. We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and maintain deep respect for the lives of study animals, ensuring humane care in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines. Research Scientists are expected to take scientific ownership of projects while maintaining flexibility and responsiveness to investigator needs. Weekend or after-hours work may occasionally be required to support time-sensitive studies. We also value teaching and mentorship as central to our mission-sharing knowledge, training staff, and contributing to the development of the next generation of translational scientists.

Additional Information

• This position does not involve patient care.
• Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Work may require standing, animal handling, and lifting up to 5 kg.
• Employment is contingent upon successful background check and institutional onboarding procedures.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that is be required

• Often: Office environment.
• Nearly Continuously: Exposure to human and animal cells.
• Occasional: Infectious disease, human and animal tissues.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that is be required

• Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking, repetitive hand motion (such as tissue culture, mouse handling, typing), walking.
• Often: Bending, reaching overhead, lifting up to 5kg.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or other scientific discipline in a related field plus four years of experience or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at ... for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at ... or ... or University Human Resource Management at ... if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

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Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you have a related Bachelor's degree or equivalency? (2 years related work experience may be substituted for 1 year of education)

• Yes

• No

• • Indicate the number of years of experience that you have in developing scientific research projects, acting as principal or co-principal investigator, managing a research staff, and/or delivering formal presentations or educational seminars:

• Less than 2 years

• 2 year or more, but less than 4 years

• 4 years or more, but less than 6 years

• 6 years or more, but less than 8 years

• 8 years or more

• Do you have any current relatives working in HCI?

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter
• Historical Only - Do Not Use - See Document Description for More Information - Addendum to the University of Utah - Veteran Only
• Historical Only - Do Not Use - See Description for More Information - Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) - Veteran Only