Research Specialist II

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Department BSD PED - Pediatric Genetics and Genomics– Moskowitz Lab About the Department The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago is a dynamic and stimulating place to work. We strive for the highest level of complex care for children from diagnosis and treatment; provide outstanding education and training for students, postgraduate scholars, and physicians; and nurture the research of Department scholars who seek to elucidate the causes of pediatric disease and identify promising new therapies. In addition to our provision of clinical care at UChicago Medicine (UCM) Comer Children’s Hospital and at our regional sites, we are currently expanding our clinical care across Northern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana. In collaboration with our partners in the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA; Advocate Children’s Hospital, and NorthShore University Health System). CCHA has responsibility for the care of almost 1 million children. The Department has expanded its presence to numerous satellite sites of care across the region with the goal of providing care ‘close to home’ whenever feasible (https://pediatrics.uchicago.edu/). Our mission is to improve the health of every child entrusted to us, in an inclusive environment that is committed to family-centered care, clinical excellence, impactful scholarship, effective disease prevention, and advocacy for the appropriate care of every child. We are especially committed to the children on the South Side of Chicago and to altering the inequities in healthcare. Job Summary The Moskowitz Laboratory (https://moskowitzlab.uchicago.edu/) seeks a Research Specialist II to become a member of the laboratory team. The Laboratory is interested in the gene regulatory networks that control organ development and adult organ homeostasis. We perform discovery of fundamental developmental and homeostatic gene regulatory principles. We seek to understand how alterations of genomic mechanisms result in risk for diseases including birth defects and cardiac arrhythmias. Individuals will work as part of a team to advance multidisciplinary projects. It is expected that individuals in the Research Assistant II position will develop independent competence in basic research approaches. This role provides both basic technical support activities and the opportunity for independent advancement of scientific research projects. The Research Specialist II performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assist in drafting presentations on research findings. This at-will position is wholly funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance Responsibilities Assists with developing or amending study protocols; developing data collection tools; building databases; and provides general administrative support. Has general awareness in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field. Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project. Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents. Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree. Technical Skills or Knowledge: ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, GRO-seq, and RNA-seq. CRISPR genetic engineering. Rapid protein degradation using Degron system. Bioinformatics. Cardiac functional analyses. Mouse genetics. Lentivirus transduction. Cell culture experience. Protein-protein interaction analysis using mass-spectrometry. Working Conditions Laboratory setting. Application Documents Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter describing previous research experience and career goals (preferred) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Research Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required Yes Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary ? FLSA Status Exempt ? Pay Range $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Elkhart , Research Specialist II, Science, Research & Development , Chicago, Indiana