New

Senior Research Professional

University of Georgia

retirement plan

United States, Georgia, Athens

Jun 18, 2026

Posting Details

Posting Number	S15312P
Working Title	Senior Research Professional
Department	SOM-Research
About the University of Georgia	Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department	The University of Georgia School of Medicine was founded in 2024 and received preliminary accreditation in 2026. The establishment of a new public medical school at UGA comes as the state faces a significant shortage of medical professionals. The population of Georgia, the nation's eighth-largest state, has surged to approximately 11 million residents, straining existing medical infrastructure and resulting in longer wait times for appointments and reduced access to care. Georgia currently ranks 39th in the nation for the number of active patient care physicians per capita and 41st for the number of public medical students per capita. As a top-20 public university with a thriving research enterprise and vast public service network, the University of Georgia is well-positioned to produce more highly trained physicians, alleviate physician shortages, and improve the state's ability to provide quality health care for its citizens. The School of Medicine is located on UGA's Health Sciences Campus in Athens. In its inaugural year, the UGA School of Medicine will enroll 60 students per class, but a new $100 million medical school building will enable the UGA School of Medicine to grow to 120 students per class in the future.
College/Unit/Department website	https://medicine.uga.edu/
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS or ORP
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information	Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM Flexibility may be needed at times, including evenings and/or weekends on occasion.
Advertised Salary	Commensurate with experience
Posting Date	06/17/2026
Open until filled	No
Closing Date	06/24/2026
Proposed Starting Date	09/01/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy	Athens Area
EEO Policy Statement	The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement	The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title	Lab Coord-Medical Science III
FLSA	Exempt
FTE	1.00
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications
Position Summary	The Senior Research Professional will operate with a high level of independence and assume leadership responsibilities within the Ledford Lab. This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator (PI) and is responsible for providing weekly updates on the progress of projects, including both individual research and projects led by other team members. The Senior Research Professional will serve as the primary author on manuscripts and will contribute to grant submissions by drafting substantial portions of preliminary data, methods, and research approaches, as needed. This position will also oversee animal studies and screening in drug development, organize teams to execute experiments, and communicate results to team members and collaborators. Additional duties include providing biohazard agents (Rhinovirus, Influenza, Mycoplasma) and extracted SP-A from human lavage fluid to collaborators nationally, as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Strong experimental design and research methodology development skills Proficiency in advanced laboratory techniques (e.g., molecular assays, cell culture, immunoassays) Skilled in scientific writing, including manuscript preparation and grant proposal development Effective leadership and team management skills, including mentoring and supervising staff and students Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific findings to diverse audiences Problem-solving and critical thinking skills to troubleshoot experimental and operational challenges Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary research teams Ability to oversee and optimize laboratory operations and workflows Ability to analyze complex data sets and translate findings into actionable conclusions Knowledge of biosafety regulations and procedures, including BSL-2 virus handling Familiarity with molecular biology, biochemical, and immunologic research techniques Understanding of experimental design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation Knowledge of grant development processes and scientific writing standards
Physical Demands	Performs research and administrative tasks in a laboratory and office environment which includes the ability to perform repetitive tasks such as data entry, equipment operation, and laboratory procedure and ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while performing experiments, data entry, or administrative tasks.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	No
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?	No
Does this position require a P-Card?	No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?	No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?	No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)	Yes
Credit and P-Card policy	Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy	Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Advanced Research Design, Execution, and Scientific Leadership

Functions as a senior collaborator to develop, design, and execute complex research projects
Formulates research methods and establishes experimental criteria
Conducts advanced immunologic and/or physiologic asthma research using in vivo and in vitro models, including mouse colonies and human cells
Leads research involving BSL2 viruses and applies diverse biochemical and molecular techniques
Authors publications, presents findings at national and international conferences, and contributes to grant proposal development to secure funding

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Team Leadership, Mentorship, and Research Training

Organizes and leads topic-specific research groups, facilitating regular progress meetings and providing high-level updates to the Principal Investigator
Interviews, selects, and mentors undergraduate students and lab personnel
Develops and delivers training on research protocols, procedures, and specialized techniques
Supervises research staff and fosters a collaborative, high-performing lab environment

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations Management and Process Optimization

Oversees daily laboratory operations and ensures efficient workflow across multiple projects
Maintains and advances experimental procedures, including those supporting animal colonies
Implements process improvements to enhance lab performance and research outcomes
Coordinates operational activities in support of ongoing research initiatives
Performs other duties as assigned

Percentage of time