Researcher 3

The primary responsibility of this position is to process and distribute donor ocular tissues to LGS's research clients. Travel may be required to attend domestic and international meetings for client recruitment and exhibition. This is a full time, Sunday-Thursday position, and will require occasional holiday and evening hours. The position also requires scheduled on-call duty with availability by cell phone for research tissue requests and triaging.

60% Process and Distribute Research Donor Tissues:

• Evaluate LGS research-eligible tissue based on clinical features, medical/social history, and medical records for various research projects.
• Coordinate with on-call donor coordinators and recovery technicians to provide customized services including specialty procurements, tissue preservations and processing based on client's criteria.
• Perform donor eye dissection, photography, imaging analysis and documentation on dissected tissue.
• Oversee the outsourcing of tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning and staining services by the Histology Core Facility at the University of Minnesota.
• Cultivate ocular cells extracted from donor tissues for in vitro expansion; cryopreserve the cultured ocular cells for distribution.
• Package and distribute processed tissues and cells to research clients either by delivery in person or through courier services.

20% Research Customer Service:

• Maintain customer preferences, distribution history, and processing protocols in LGS's client database.
• Provide timely response to researchers' tissue requests.
• Assist the Research & Development Director with problem solving, providing customer service and collecting feedback from existing and potential clients to improve our processes and offerings.
• Attend domestic and international conferences to recruit research clients and promote the distribution of research tissues provided by Lions Gift of Sight.

15% General Laboratory Maintenance:

• Complete weekly, monthly, and annually scheduled lab maintenance (research-related inventory, surgical instrument maintenance, etc.).
• Monitor lab equipment functionality.
• Order lab supplies needed to maintain research operations.
• Cleaning and maintaining instruments after use.

5% Documentation and billing for Research Tissue:

• Document distribution of research tissue.
• Maintain the client database and research tissue inventory.
• Serve as the backup person for invoicing using QuickBooks for all research tissues.
• Ensure customer-generated purchase orders match invoices.
• Document invoices in donor chart.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related life science field and at least two (2) years of research laboratory work experience; or a combination of education and work experience to equal six (6) years.
• Demonstrated dissection skills with human and/or animal tissues.
• Ability to follow safety guidelines in a human tissue laboratory.
• Experience prioritizing multiple tasks successfully and in a timely manner.
• Documented decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent customer service skills.
• Experience working with microscopes.
• Proficiency using word processing, spreadsheets, and image processing software.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences and its success is built upon the innovation and drive of every member of our team, from faculty to administrators to technicians. Put simply, all of us are driven to provide the best eye care for our patients, discover new treatments, and educate the next generation of eye care professionals. For more information please visit our website at .

Lions Gift of Sight (formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) was established after the partnership between the Lions and the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences came to life in 1960, providing donor eye tissue for transplant, research, and teaching and promoting donation through education. Lions Gift of Sight has helped restore sight to more than 22,000 people by providing cornea tissue for transplantation and is one of the largest and most successful eye banks in the world.For more information please visit our website at:

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, pharmacy, and disability plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: .

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University's Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.