Lab Research Assistant Lead - Orthopedic Surgery

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Orthopedic Surgery-Res Adm

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 4:30:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $27.47 - $38.81 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The LEAD, Lab Research Assistant provides advanced technical, organizational, and leadership support within a research laboratory setting. This role performs complex laboratory procedures, mentors junior staff, ensures protocol adherence, and contributes to data interpretation and scientific deliverables. The Lead LRA coordinates daily lab workflows, supports principal investigators with project readiness, and helps uphold research quality, safety, and compliance standards. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Required Job Qualifications:

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent

Experience:

• 3 or more years of laboratory experience in an academic, healthcare, or research environment, including hands-on performance of complex experimental techniques, protocol documentation, and data analysis
• Prior supervisory/mentoring/advising experience

OR

Experience (in lieu of a degree):

• 3 years of progressive laboratory experience, with at least 2 years involves direct execution of laboratory tests or support of active research studies;
• 2 years of supervisory, mentoring, or peer advising experience in a laboratory setting

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques, specialized equipment, and research workflows
• Thorough understanding of institutional safety standards and lab safety protocols
• Proficiency in interpreting data trends, troubleshooting inconsistencies, and applying statistical logic
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including accurate record-keeping and scientific summarization
• Proven ability to mentor, instruct, and guide peers or junior staff in laboratory environments
• Ability to organize complex procedures, manage competing priorities, and maintain lab readiness
• Proficient in laboratory software and systems such as REDCap, GraphPad, Excel, ImageJ, and LIMS
• Skilled in working across teams, coordinating with cores or vendors, and maintaining collaborative professionalism
• Ability to resolve procedural issues, optimize performance, and contribute to innovation in laboratory practice

Preferred Job Qualifications:

Experience:

• 3 years of laboratory exposure in an academic, healthcare, or research environment AND
• 2 years of supervisory / mentoring/advising experience in a laboratory setting

Physical Demands:

• Requires effective use of fine motor skills for pipetting, microscopy, and data entry tasks
• Requires good vision and manual dexterity to accurately handle lab instruments, record data, and operate computerized systems
• Frequently stands or walks during labs and may occasionally lift or carry items (e.g., reagent trays, small sample containers) up to 25 lbs
• Must comply with laboratory safety standards and environmental controls, including the use of appropriate PPE and handling of chemicals or biological specimens

Job Responsibilities:

• Execute specialized, multi-step laboratory procedures with expert-level precision; adapt techniques in response to sample variability or study needs, and coach team members on procedural nuances
• Direct specimen workflows from collection through storage; identify root causes of quality concerns, implement procedural corrections, and serve as escalation point for protocol deviations
• Lead calibration, validation, and troubleshooting of complex lab instrumentation; advise staff on maintenance strategies and coordinate technical support with vendors or core facilities
• Guide protocol refinement by integrating pilot study results and emerging literature; support principal investigators in method development and contribute to procedural documentation
• Maintain detailed procedural records, instrument logs, and study notes; review and correct documentation from junior staff to ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance
• Interpret data trends across experiments or time points; synthesize findings into concise summaries and visuals for PI review, publication, or grant reporting
• Train and mentor Lab Research Assistant 1–3 staff; provide real-time technical feedback, support onboarding, and model best practices in safety, documentation, and scientific reasoning
• Lead lab-wide procedural updates, experimental planning discussions, and project huddles; contribute recommendations to streamline workflows and address operational gaps
• Coordinate inter-lab or cross-functional collaborations; serve as liaison for protocol alignment, material sharing, and shared instrumentation scheduling
• Monitor inventory levels for specialized reagents, custom materials, and high-use supplies; coordinate with team to prevent disruptions and inform budget-aware decisions
• Promote compliance by modeling institutional safety standards; deliver refresher briefings and coach others through real-time safety scenarios or protocol corrections
• Draft and edit scientific materials including internal protocols, SOPs, and manuscript method sections; incorporate reviewer feedback and align with journal or sponsor requirements
• Translate complex literature findings into actionable lab improvements or protocol modifications; present concise summaries at team meetings and document impact
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of laboratory goals and research operations

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Salary : $27 - $39