Assistant Scientist

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The University of Miami/UHealth Department of SCCC has an exciting opportunity for a Full-Time Assistant Scientist to work at the UHealth campus in Miami, Fl.

CORE JOB SUMMARY                                                                                                                                    

The Assistant Scientist carries out a particular research agenda in support of the University’s research goals and objectives. Moreover, the Assistant Scientist, SOM contributes to the scientific community by publishing research findings and promotes the University’s reputation as a leader in the field.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS                                                                                                          

• Contributes to basic and applied research activities and authors scientific publications, technical and agency reports, and patent preparations.

• Collaborates with senior staff to publish findings in refereed journals. Creates and conducts experiments and analyzes results.

• Works with other researchers to use and develop end products. Writes extramural proposals with approval from appropriate senior staff.

• Provides ready access to all experimental data for managing staff.

• Requests or acquires equipment and supplies for assigned project(s).

• Uses the internet, surveys, legal documents, and other available sources to collect information.

• Applies for grants to continue research and prepares materials for submission to granting agencies and foundations.

• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

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.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                                         

Education: Doctorate degree - Philosophy  (PhD) required

Experience: Minimum 1 year of relevant experience required

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM

Department Specific Functions

Our laboratory focuses on mechanistic discovery to understand the metabolic and molecular mechanisms of androgen synthesis and androgen receptor gain-of-function that lead to resistance to hormonal therapy.  Our work is revealing fundamental endocrine mechanisms in both normal physiology and disease, including stress, aging, and glucocorticoid resistance, that will lead to broad applications to oncology and cancer physiology.

Specific areas include:

• Metabolic and genetic changes required for hormone therapy resistance in prostate and breast cancers
• Discovery of entirely new mechanisms of endocrine physiology and regulation
• Clinical validation in patients and clinical trials using innovative approaches
• Animal models of advanced cancer for translational and therapeutic studies
• Identifying targets for the development of new pharmacologic therapies
• Drug discovery for new therapies

This position is ideal for an individual with a strong interest in rapid translation of basic mechanistic discoveries to the bedside as this is a principal goal of the Sharifi Laboratory. For example, we have shown that our discovery of a gain-of-function in a steroid-synthesizing enzyme is a predictive biomarker of poor outcomes after hormonal therapy (Hearn, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2016;17:1435-44; JAMA Oncol. 2018;4:558-62; JAMA Oncol. 2020;6(4):e196496).  We are currently evaluating this biomarker in an active clinical trial and are pursuing similar mechanisms and developing new treatment modalities based on these discoveries. 

The position will provide a unique and multidisciplinary exposure to tumor metabolism, molecular oncology, drug development, and clinical trials. 

Department Specific Qualifications                                                                                     

Education:

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology or another relevant field required

Experience:

• Appropriate expertise in the discovery of molecular, biochemical or chemical mechanisms.   
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of scientific techniques
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to develop collaborative research projects and relationships
• Demonstrated contribution towards the making of scientific advances in the field of work.

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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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