Specialist - Research-Fixed Term

The Research Academic Specialist provides scientific leadership and project management support for multidisciplinary research programs focused on cardiovascular health, oncology, and metabolism. This position designs, directs, and conducts advanced multimodal imaging studies utilizing MRI, PET, Ultrasound, and Magnetic Particle Imaging across human and animal models. Responsibilities include overseeing laboratory operations, developing experimental protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance, mentoring research personnel, managing project budgets, analyzing data, supporting grant development, and disseminating research findings through publications and presentations.

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Terminal -physiology, medical imaging, physics, biomedical engineering or related field

• PhD or equivalent degree in physiology, medical imaging, physics, biomedical engineering or related field
• 5 years of experience as a laboratory manager, project manager, site director or similar role
• Prior experience with MRI research, animal surgical procedures, and cardiovascular measurement skills

• 3+ years supervisory experience
• Experience mentoring junior researchers
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and regulatory compliance
• Experience with formulating budgets and drafting grant proposals

Cover letter, CV, and three professional references

Exposure to human blood, serum, tissue and other body fluids; and materials covered under Universal Precautions. 

Work with animals or unfixed animal tissue. 

Exposure to ionizing radiation and exposure to radiopharmaceuticals.

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised: Sep 30, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 7, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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