Associate Director, DFI Metabolomics

Department

BSD DFI - Metabolomics

About the Department

The Duchossois Family Institute (DFI) investigates the role of the microbiome in resistance and susceptibility to infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. The microbiome consists of complex populations of microbes that can be characterized using a multi-omics approach. We have established a metabolomics facility within the DFI to identify, measure and characterize the metabolites found in the gut and throughout the host. We aim to support the understanding of how these molecules function in microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions. The DFI metabolomics laboratory supports the University of Chicago and external clients through experimental design, creation of custom analyses methods, and analyzed data visualizations for publications. Our team creates quantitative methods using mass spectrometry for clinical applications and perform routine metabolite sample preparation and analysis.

Job Summary

The job develops and implements programs to promote a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource.

Responsibilities

• Works with graduate students, post-docs, and faculty to design and carry out targeted and untargeted metabolomic experiments.

• Develops robust sample preparation methods.

• Drafts SOPs for all development methods and processes.

• Develops robust methods using GCMS and LCMS (reverse phase, HILIC; triple quad, high-resolution, MS/MS) for the targeted and untargeted analysis of microbial metabolites.

• Facilitates the structural elucidation of unknown compounds.

• Quantifies concentrations of microbial metabolites using LCMS and GCMS.

• Aids laboratory director and the hospital in setting up and validating mass spectrometry-based test for CLIA approval and clinical use.

• Develops purification methods for new compounds of interest to collaborators or the institute.

• Analyzes mass spectrometry metabolomic data using specialized software programs.

• Provides technical direction to research technicians and research specialists.

• Performs research with an emphasis on data quality and integrity in a time efficient manner.

• Performs the above tasks independently with minimal supervision.

• Meets with collaborators and clients to design and execute robust and accurate experiments for metabolomic analyses.

• Meets with collaborators and clients to interpret data.

• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Facilitates and promotes a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.

• Develops laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage, analyze and make recommendations on complex data sets for research.

• Creates first drafts for scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.

• Trains and mentors laboratory personnel.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in chemistry, chemical biology, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, or related field.

Experience:

• Previous experience in analysis of microbially derived metabolites, preferably from the gut microbiome of human or murine environments or other complex microbial communities.

• 2+ years analyzing targeted, untargeted, and quantitative mass spectrometry data.

Preferred Competencies

• Experience with basic chromatography (e.g. Reverse phase, Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), mass spectrometry techniques and method development including GCMS and LCMS (e.g. triple quad, high-resolution, tandem mass spec).

• Experience in troubleshooting GCMS and LCMS instruments/systems.

• Experience developing quantitative small molecule methods using GCMS and LCMS.

• Experience utilizing basic chemical and biochemical knowledge towards the measurement and/or characterization of small molecules using mass spectrometry.