Senior Scientist- Cardiology

University of Kansas Medical Center•Kansas City, MO

23d•$70,200 - $105,300

About The Position

The Senior Scientist provides advanced scientific leadership and research expertise to support complex molecular biology research programs within the Department of Cardiovascular and Cardiothoracic Research. The role independently leads research initiatives, provides scientific direction, mentors research personnel, and serves as a subject matter expert in molecular biology and related areas. The Senior Scientist designs and conducts advanced molecular, cellular, biochemical, and physiological research; promotes scientific innovation and research quality; ensures compliance; interprets complex data; and contributes to the growth and success of the research program. The position leads research projects from planning through execution, designs and troubleshoots experiments, and conducts research involving cell culture and small animal models, particularly mice. It also provides scientific guidance and training, supports laboratory operations and research rigor, contributes to publications and funding proposals, and collaborates with investigators and multidisciplinary teams. The role supports strategic planning and continuous improvement, evaluates emerging technologies and methods, and represents the laboratory and institution in scholarly activities.

Requirements

PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
Four years of relevant research experience.
Experience designing, conducting, and troubleshooting molecular, cellular, biochemical, and/or physiological research.
Experience leading research projects.
Experience analyzing and interpreting complex experimental data and using findings to guide research strategies and future experimental directions.
Experience providing scientific guidance, mentorship, or training to students, research staff, fellows, or other laboratory personnel.
Problem-solving skills.
Experimental design skills.
Data interpretation skills.
Presentation skills.
Collaboration skills.
Communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Track record of publishing scientific research in peer-reviewed journals.
Experience leading research projects or major components of broader research programs.
Experience contributing to grant applications, research proposals, and research funding efforts.
Experience presenting research findings at scientific meetings or conferences.
Experience in cardiovascular, translational, or molecular physiology research.
Experience in an academic medical center or university research environment.
Experience developing or optimizing laboratory procedures, experimental protocols, and research methodologies.
Experience training and mentoring scientific staff, students, fellows, or other research personnel.
Relevant research certifications or training, including applicable animal research, biosafety, laboratory safety, or other research compliance training.
Experience in biochemistry, genetics, histology, molecular biology, and/or molecular physiology.
Experience with molecular and cellular laboratory techniques and experimental methodologies.
Experience with cell culture-based research.
Experience with small animal models, particularly mice, including animal handling and genotyping.

Responsibilities

Lead complex molecular biology research projects, including defining objectives, experimental strategies, methodologies, timelines, and project plans; collaborate on joint laboratory and multidisciplinary initiatives.
Design, perform, optimize, and troubleshoot molecular, biochemical, cellular, and physiological experiments, including cell culture-based studies; develop and refine methods and protocols.
Conduct research involving small animal models, particularly mice, including animal handling, experimental procedures, genotyping, and related molecular analyses in accordance with protocols and applicable requirements.
Evaluate experimental approaches and identify and resolve scientific and technical challenges.
Analyze, interpret, and communicate complex experimental data to inform scientific decisions, evaluate hypotheses, and guide future research.
Provide scientific leadership, mentorship, training, and technical guidance to Research Associates, students, fellows, and other laboratory personnel.
Support laboratory workflows and research operations while promoting scientific rigor, reproducibility, quality standards, and compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
Contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts and prepare abstracts, posters, presentations, research reports, and other scientific materials.
Contribute scientific expertise to grant applications, research proposals, and activities supporting laboratory research funding.
Collaborate with principal investigators, clinicians, researchers, and multidisciplinary teams on molecular biology, cardiovascular, and translational research initiatives.
Evaluate emerging technologies, scientific literature, experimental techniques, and methodologies to improve laboratory capabilities and advance research objectives.
Support strategic planning, program development, and continuous improvement within the laboratory and department.
Represent the laboratory and institution at scientific conferences, research meetings, professional organizations, and other scholarly activities.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage beginning on day one.
Health expense accounts with employer contributions for employees participating in a qualifying health plan.
Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
Additional voluntary insurance plans.
Paid vacation and sick time accruing upon hire.
Ten paid holidays.
One paid discretionary day after six months of employment.
Paid bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave after 12 months of employment.
Retirement program with an employer contribution.
Additional voluntary 457 or 403b retirement programs.