Position Summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, seeks to hire a Researcher to provide research support. This position will involve laboratory testing, data analysis, and troubleshooting. The successful candidate will help move projects from concept through prototype development, testing, and refinement. Applicants should have strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and an interest in working across the laboratory, engineering, and software applications. Experience with laboratory instrumentation, statistical analysis, or technical documentation is preferred.

General Responsibilities

As a Researcher, you will play a key role in driving scientific discovery by independently leading and executing research projects. This professional-level position demands a high degree of expertise and judgement in designing studies, analyzing data, and may involve assistants in publishing findings. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage project timelines, and contribute to grant writing and securing funding for future research. Depending on the research focus, this position may involve research collaborator contact, research animal contact, and/or specimens.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Translate laboratory concepts and research requirements into schematic designs and technical specifications.

2. Fabricate, assemble, modify, and refine prototypes.

3. Develop and execute testing procedures to evaluate prototype functionality, reliability, accuracy, and performance.

4. Operate sophisticated analytical instruments, document test conditions and results, and compare findings against project requirements.

5. Participate in study, design and execution.

6. Adhere to regulatory guidelines per approved IRB protocols.

7. Diagnose root causes, implement corrective actions, and recommend design modifications to improve device performance and reliability.

8. Collaborate and partner with researchers and external entities regarding research projects.

9. Prepare and present research progress and experimental results during weekly laboratory meetings.

10. Purchase laboratory supplies and provide support for laboratory operations.

11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary Range: $ 50,050- $ 81,330

Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field OR Bachelor's degree in related field and two (2) years of related experience OR Associate's degree in related field and four (4) years of related experience required or High School diploma or GED and six (6) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

Preferences

• Masters or Bachelors Degree in Science or Material Engineering or similar field.

• Independent judgment: Ability to make sound decisions, prioritize work, and take ownership of research activities.

• Problem-solving and Critical thinking: Skill in evaluating data, identifying patterns, assessing results, and developing effective solutions.

• Attention to detail: Commitment to accuracy in experiments, documentation, data analysis, prototype development, and software testing.

• Communication: Ability to clearly explain technical information, research findings, challenges, and recommendations.

• Presentation skills: Confidence presenting research progress and results to laboratory and engineering teams.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with researchers, engineers, technical staff, and other stakeholders.

• Adaptability: Willingness to learn new instruments, software, fabrication techniques, and research methods.

• Initiative: Proactively identifying opportunities for improvement and advancing projects with limited supervision.

• Laboratory instrument operation, device testing, troubleshooting, and optimization.

• Experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis, and research interpretation, AI-assisted development, automation, testing, and debugging.

• Hardware/software integration and performance validation.

• Technical documentation, project tracking, and laboratory operations.

• Compliance with laboratory safety and quality standards.

Key Skills

• Being able to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

• Attention to detail.

• Ability to understand and follow regulations.

• Ability to work well with others.

• Ability to stay on task and be efficient without having to be micro-managed.

• Multi-tasking, ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment, organized, written and verbal communication skills, team player.
  

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.