Senior Scientist- Cardiology

University of Kansas Medical Center•Kansas City, KS

21d•$70,200 - $105,300

About The Position

The Senior Scientist provides advanced scientific leadership and research expertise for 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; drives scientific innovation; ensures research quality and compliance; analyzes and interprets complex scientific data; and contributes to the growth and success of the research program. The position involves research focused on molecular biology, cardiovascular medicine, and translational research. The Senior Scientist leads project planning and experimental work, including cell culture studies, research with small animal models—particularly mice—and genotyping. The role also supports laboratory operations, scientific publications and funding efforts, and collaboration across clinical, research, and multidisciplinary teams.

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 experiments.
Experience providing scientific guidance, mentorship, or training to students, research staff, fellows, or other laboratory personnel.
Skills in problem-solving, experimental design, data interpretation, presentations, collaboration, and communication.

Nice To Haves

A proven 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 working with small animal models, particularly mice, including animal handling and genotyping.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage complex molecular biology research projects, including setting objectives and developing experimental strategies, methodologies, timelines, and project plans.
Collaborate on joint laboratory and multidisciplinary research initiatives.
Design, perform, optimize, and troubleshoot molecular, biochemical, cellular, and physiological experiments, including cell culture–based studies.
Develop and refine experimental methods and protocols to support research objectives.
Conduct research involving small animal models, particularly mice, including animal handling and experimental procedures.
Perform genotyping and related molecular analyses in accordance with laboratory protocols, institutional requirements, and applicable research standards.
Evaluate experimental approaches and resolve complex scientific and technical challenges.
Analyze, interpret, and communicate complex experimental data to inform scientific decisions, assess 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 rigor, reproducibility, quality, and compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
Contribute to manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and prepare abstracts, posters, presentations, research reports, and other scientific materials.
Contribute scientific expertise to grant applications, research proposals, and activities supporting research program development and funding.
Collaborate with principal investigators, clinicians, researchers, and multidisciplinary teams on molecular biology, cardiovascular, and translational research.
Evaluate emerging technologies, scientific literature, experimental techniques, and methodologies to enhance laboratory capabilities and advance research.
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 time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave after 12 months of employment.
Retirement program with an employer contribution.
Additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b).