Life Science Research Professional 1
Stanford University · Stanford
Stanford University is seeking a Life Science Research Professional 1 to perform basic functions and activities involved in defined research projects, and independently conduct and analyze experiments.
The Department of Pathology is a founding department of the Stanford School of Medicine and one of the leading departments in the United States. Our preeminent faculty spans from emerging leaders to highly accomplished physicians and scientists, including a Nobel laureate and members of the National Academy. Our mission is to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and basic understanding of human disease. This is done through discovery (research), education, and clinical care.
You will be working with an unparalleled leading-edge community of faculty and staff that are fundamentally changing the world of health care. You will have the opportunity to influence and drive change with your innovative ideas, the ability to make a difference, and participate in human advancements. Our culture is fast-paced, energetic, and growing all of the time.
We offer a variety of benefits beyond traditional medical, dental, retirement, and savings options:
- Events and programs for children, sports camps, tuition options
- World-class intellectual stimulation through learning and development classes, workshops, and onsite conferences from leading-edge speakers and faculty
- Work/life and family-friendly policies and reimbursement
- Participation in Stanford’s social responsibility and sustainable programs for a better world
- A vibrant university culture that values the uniqueness of each individual
We are seeking candidates who are progressive thinkers, see challenges as simply problems to solve, and have the spirit and energy to change the world.
About the Department of Pathology:
Comprised of extraordinary faculty and staff, our mission is to improve the ability to diagnose, treat, and understand the origin and manifestation of human disease, and to care for those who have or are at risk of developing diseases. We accomplish this through our clinical services (in all fields of anatomic and clinical pathology, including molecular and genomic pathology, histocompatibility testing and transfusion medicine) and research (which includes basic, translational and clinical research into the origins and manifestations of disease, including efforts to improve disease prediction and prevention as part of the goal of achieving precision medicine and health), and also by educating future leaders in pathology and related fields. Everything we do is to achieve the goals of providing the highest quality of clinical services to the patients for whom we passionately care, to advance our ability to understand, diagnose, monitor, and ultimately to cure disease or to prevent or delay its occurrence, and to provide outstanding education and career development opportunities to those who share these goals.
For more information about the department visit http://pathology.stanford.edu/
About the Lab:
The Svensson Lab in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine discovers new hormones and signaling pathways that control metabolism and translates them into therapies for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The lab combines peptide biochemistry, cell signaling, gene editing, computational prediction, and mouse physiology to define how secreted peptides act on cells, tissues, and whole organisms. Recent discoveries include a brain-derived peptide that suppresses appetite and obesity independently of the incretin pathway (Nature, 2025). A growing focus of the lab is how GLP-1-based drugs such as semaglutide, now used by millions of people, affect cancer development and growth. The lab is part of the Stanford Diabetes Research Center and works with collaborators at Stanford and internationally.
About the Position:
We are seeking a Life Science Research Professional 1 (LSRP 1) to join the group of Dr. Katrin Svensson in the Department of Pathology to study GLP-1 in cancer. Under the supervision of the PI, the LSRP 1 will assist with planning, perform, and analyze cellular experiments and peptide bioactivity assays and will support in vivo cancer studies involving semaglutide treatment. The LSRP 1 will analyze and interpret experimental results, discuss potential follow-up studies with the PI, prepare figures and abstracts, and contribute to presentations and manuscripts under the guidance of the PI or senior researcher. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated scientist seeking substantial hands-on research experience at the intersection of metabolism and cancer.
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, cancer biology, physiology, pharmacology, bioengineering, or a closely related life science field.
- At least 1 year of hands-on research laboratory experience (academic or industry); research experience in cancer biology, metabolism, or pharmacology is a plus.
- Interest in analyzing and graphing quantitative data and applying basic statistics (e.g., GraphPad Prism, Excel); familiarity with R or Python is desirable.
- Interest in preparing scientific figures, abstracts, or presentations; interest in presenting at scientific conferences.
- Proficiency with dilutions, molarity, and other standard laboratory calculations.
- Ability to interpret results, troubleshoot experiments, and propose follow-up experiments based on project needs and their assigned work, with review and guidance from the PI or senior researcher.
- Strong organizational and record-keeping skills; ability to manage several experiments in parallel and meet deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team.
- Willingness to work with mice and to complete required animal-care training.
Physical Requirements*:
- Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, write by hand, lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing over 40 pounds.
- Occasionally sit, kneel, crawl, reach and work above shoulders, sort and file paperwork or parts.
- Rarely climb, scrub, sweep, mop, chop and mix or operate hand and foot controls.
- Must have correctable vision to perform duties of the job.
- Ability to bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.
- Ability to lift heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work in a dusty, dirty, and odorous environment.
- Position may require repetitive motion.
*- Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
Working Conditions:
- May require working in close proximity to blood-borne pathogens.
- May require work in an environment where animals are used for teaching and research.
- Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
- Employee must perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses and shoes, protective clothing and gloves, and possibly a respirator.
- May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.
- Due to the nature of the work, this position will be fully on-site.