Senior Research Specialist - Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases

Life Sciences Center

NextGen Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases is excited to announce an opening for a new position, Senior Research Specialist. This role supports and coordinates day-to-day research and animal care operations across the Middlebush animal research complex, ensures compliance with approved protocols, and facilitates communication among research teams, veterinary staff, and animal care personnel. The position works closely with the facility manager while maintaining a primary focus on animal care coordination, research execution, and oversight of study-related activities across multiple projects and buildings.

In this role, you will regularly:

• Supervise and coordinate animal care personnel to ensure animal care tasks are implemented consistently, appropriately, and in alignment with approved research protocols across studies and facilities.
• Participate in, assist with, and/or coordinate animal handling, sample collection, and study procedures as needed, in collaboration with research teams and veterinary staff.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate animal research studies across multiple projects and facilities, ensuring activities are conducted according to approved protocols, timelines, and study designs; identify and resolve issues that arise during research execution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between research teams, veterinarians, animal care staff, and the facility manager to ensure effective communication and coordination.
• Coordinate IBC and IACUC protocol submissions, amendments, renewals, and associated training documentation in collaboration with investigators.
• Implement and monitor research-related biosecurity, biosafety, and facility SOPs, including work conducted in BSL-2 animal research environments, ensuring compliance with approved SOPs, PPE compliance, and infection control practices, in coordination with the facility manager.
• Train and onboard research personnel, students, visitors, and animal care staff on study-specific procedures, animal handling expectations, and safety requirements.
• Coordinate animal inventories, study procedures, and animal movements, sampling schedules, and necropsy activities in support of active research projects.
• Respond to animal health concerns or research disruptions and work with the facility manager to communicate facility-related issues, escalate concerns appropriately, and assist with contingency planning.
• Ensure research activities comply with institutional, local, and federal regulations, maintaining organized, accurate, and up-to-date records related to animal use, procedures, training, and regulatory and study documentation.
• Collect, manage, and analyze research data, ensuring accurate and timely data entry, quality control, and reporting.
• Work with facility manager to coordinate the use of space, equipment, and supplies to ensure study readiness and continuity.
• Support oversight of animal care and welfare in collaboration with veterinarians, ensuring research activities align with approved welfare and biosafety standards.
• Other job duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound professional judgment, a strong work ethic, and the ability to prioritize multiple projects in a self-directed environment. This position involves regular presence in an active research setting, including BSL-2 environments, and close coordination with research, animal care, and veterinary teams. Strong problem solving, organizational, and communication skills are essential, along with a collaborative leadership approach and a commitment to meeting deadlines. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat, as well as strong written and oral communication skills, are required.

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with occasional schedule adjustments, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required to support animal care, research projects, or facility needs.

Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Experience working in higher education research studies or coordination, with demonstrated experience working with animals such as pigs, poultry, and small mammals.

Salary Range: $52,915.20 - $83,408.00 per year

Grade: GGS 9E

University Title: Senior Research Specialist

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application, resume, and cover letter

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.