Research Associate 2

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The SCCC department has an exciting opportunity for a Full Time Research Associate 2 to work at the UHealth Medical Campus in Miami, Fl.

CORE SUMMARY

The Research Associate 2 contributes to the University’s research activities under the supervision of senior staff. Moreover, the incumbent understands, interprets, and complies with research policies and protocols. This position involves performance of a variety experiments in support of research in immune recovery or immune activation in context of stem cell transplantation or cell therapy.   

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct laboratory assignments, including preparing and preserving peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from blood samples.

• Participate in the scheduling and performance experiments related to immunology and leukocyte biology studies in a research laboratory.

• Conduct experimental procedures and maintain accurate records; participate in the processes of interpreting experimental data and assist in solving technical protocol execution problems.

• Operate routine scientific laboratory equipment.

• The individual in this position will provide technical support in various procedures in the laboratory which include the following:

• Collection and/or processing of specimens obtained from both healthy human donors and well as clinical patient samples.

• Performance of standard immunological techniques and molecular biology assays including monoclonal antibody binding assays, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation assays, Western Blot, PCR, RT-PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, viral titer quantification, signal transduction assays, protein purification.

• Assist with scientific literature searches and updating of laboratory bibliography, and literature searches for references to address technical problems.

• Provide support in the preparation of reports of relevant findings in manuscripts for submission to journals, in grant proposals to funding agencies, and presentation of data in laboratory meetings and other venues.

• Provide support in preparation of required monthly/quarterly/ annual reports including grant progress reports, environmental health and safety, etc.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Immunology or Biology preferred.

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience. Prior experience in an academic research laboratory setting, experience with processing blood samples, performing flow cytometry and advanced knowledge in Biology is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Skill in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data.

• Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

• Should have considerable knowledge of laboratory equipment, methods and materials, and safety practice in a research setting.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFICS

This position involves performance of a variety experiments in support of research in bone marrow transplantation and variety of cellular immunotherapies especially adoptive T cell therapies-CAR T cells in the Division of Transplant and Cell Therapy. In Green Lab, we study mechanisms of relapse and resistance to existing cellular therapy approaches, especially CAR T cells. The major goal of our lab is to generate preclinical data for clinical translation. Experience and knowledge of the immune system is essential. The selected candidate will conduct variety of experimental techniques in cell culturing, animal work, flow cytometry and molecular biology. Technical training will be provided, and the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate new skills if necessary.

DUTIES & SUMMARY: The individual’s major responsibility will involve various aspects of research projects:

• Conduct laboratory assignments, including preparing and preserving peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from blood samples and generating CAR T cells.

• Participate in the scheduling and performance experiments related to immunology and leukocyte biology studies in a research laboratory.

• Conduct experimental procedures and maintain accurate records; participate in the processes of interpreting experimental data and assist in solving technical protocol execution problems. Experience in using Prism, Flow Jo, Microsoft Office is important.

• Operate routine scientific laboratory equipment.

• The individual in this position will provide technical support in various procedures in the laboratory which include the following:

• Collection and/or processing of specimens obtained from both healthy human donors and well as clinical patient samples.

• Performance of standard immunological techniques and molecular biology assays including monoclonal antibody binding assays, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation assays, Western Blot, PCR, RT-PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, viral titer quantification, signal transduction assays, protein purification, fluorescence microscopy.

• Capable of conducting experiments on aseptic cell culture including working on isolation, characterization and assay set up with primary human and murine immune cells, tumor cell lines or primary patient-derived cells.

• Works on production, maintenance and cryopreservation of CAR T cells and in vitro efficacy assays.

•  Capable of working with mouse models of cancer after appropriate training per institutional guidelines-Animal handling and processing mouse samples for downstream analysis.

• Assist with scientific literature searches and updating of laboratory bibliography, and literature searches for references to address technical problems.

• Provide support in the preparation of reports of relevant findings in manuscripts for submission to journals, in grant proposals to funding agencies, and presentation of data in laboratory meetings and other venues.

• Provide support in preparation of required monthly/quarterly/ annual reports including grant progress reports, environmental health and safety, etc

•  Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

B.S. degree in Microbiology, Immunology or Biology.  Prior experience in an academic research laboratory setting required. Knowledge in molecular biology-immunology, CAR T cells is a plus.  Should have considerable knowledge of laboratory equipment, methods and materials, and safety practices in a research setting. Participate in the scheduling and performance experiments related to immunology and leukocyte biology studies in a research laboratory.  Conduct laboratory assignments, including participation in planning and conducting protocols related to immunology and biology lab projects; may need to develop, adapt and/or implement new lab procedures.  Conduct experimental procedures and maintain accurate records; participate in the processes of interpreting experimental data and assist in solving technical protocol execution problems.  Assist in the routine stocking and maintaining of laboratory supplies and equipment.  Operate routine scientific laboratory equipment.  The individual must be capable of working independently and able to exercise sound independent judgment. 

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The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

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