Assistant Scientist- Petrucceli Lab

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The University of Miami/UHealth Office of the Dean 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, SOM (A) carries out a particular research agenda in support of the University's research goals and objectives. Moreover, the Assistant Scientist, SOM (A) 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.
• Expert in cell biology and molecular biology techniques and animal mouse models.
• 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.

Additional information

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: MD or Ph.D. in relevant field
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of relevant experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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 Specifics

Neurovascular & Neurodegeneration Research

• Design, conduct, and analyze experiments investigating neurovascular mechanisms in ALS, FTD, and Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on endothelial dysfunction, blood-brain barrier (BBB) biology, and RNA-binding protein (TDP-43) pathology.
• Develop and utilize animal models (e.g., knock-in mouse, endothelial-specific deletion) and human tissue analyses (e.g., inCITE-seq) to study disease mechanisms and validate translational relevance.
• Integrate molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to uncover causal pathways and therapeutic targets in neurodegeneration.

Experimental Model Development & Data Analysis

• Apply advanced molecular biology, epigenetics, and RNA regulation techniques to dissect disease mechanisms.
• Conduct cross-species validation and mechanistic studies using transcriptomics, proteomics, and imaging.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets, ensuring rigorous experimental design and reproducibility.

Grant Writing, Manuscript Preparation & Scientific Communication

• Draft, edit, and submit scientific research grants, progress reports, and manuscripts for high-impact journals (e.g., Science Advances, Nature Neuroscience).
• Prepare and present posters and oral presentations at national and international scientific meetings.
• Present findings at international conferences (e.g., Cold Spring Harbor, Gordon Research, NAVBO) and invited talks at leading institutions.
• Author reviews, book chapters, and abstracts; communicate research to both academic and public audiences.

Technical Skills & Laboratory Management

• Apply advanced techniques in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, cell culture, RNA isolation, and bioinformatics analysis.
• Manage laboratory operations, including ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Conduct statistical data analysis and interpretation using Graphpad Prism and other software.

Collaboration, Mentorship & Leadership

• Collaborate with principal investigators, research scientists, and external partners on multi-institutional projects.
• Mentor undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in experimental design, molecular methodology, and data interpretation.
• Provide hands-on training for medical biotechnology and PhD students, supporting their research projects and professional development.
• Serve as a peer reviewer for high-impact journals and as a judge for scientific presentations.

Translational & Public Health Impact

• Advance early vascular diagnostics and therapeutic innovation for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Translate mechanistic discoveries into actionable strategies for BBB stabilization and neuroprotection.

Department Specific Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Biological Science, or related field.

Experience

• Demonstrated research experience in neurovascular biology, neurodegeneration, molecular oncology, and translational neuroscience.
• Experience in experimental model development, grant writing, manuscript preparation, and collaborative scientific projects.
• Recognized for field-defining discoveries, international presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes

• Advanced proficiency in experimental design, molecular and cellular techniques, and data analysis.
• Expertise in neurovascular research, blood-brain barrier biology, and RNA regulation.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and sound judgment in critical decision-making.
• Commitment to mentorship, training, and professional development.
• Skilled in laboratory management, compliance, and technical troubleshooting.
• Recognized leadership, editorial service, and public communication in biomedical science.

Pay and benefits

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.

Job Status: Full time

Employee Type: Staff