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The University of Miami/UHealth Department of SCCC has an exciting opportunity for a Full Time Research Associate 1 to work at the UHealth medical campus in Miami, FL.

CORE JOB SUMMARY
The Research Associate 1, SOM supports research activities for the assigned division by conducting laboratory experiments on assigned research projects. Moreover, the incumbent operates with the goal of advancing his/her expertise through continued education, training, and research.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Understands and interprets research protocols and procedures.
2. Participates in the publication of significant results.
3. Maintains an overview of relevant research findings.
4. Ensures all research is undertaken according to good research practice.
5. Keeps abreast of current publications relative to methods, techniques, and developments within the area of research.
6. Collects, prepares, analyzes, dissects, and evaluates specimens or tissue cultures.
7. Operates and maintains laboratory equipment.
8. Performs a variety of routine assays, tests, and studies.
9. Performs calculations to complete research test results, collects data, and performs statistical analysis of laboratory results.

10. 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: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field required

Experience: No prior experience required

Department Specific Functions

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is currently seeking a Research Assistant who will join the Cancer Modeling Shared Resource. This translational Facility provides qualified, cost effective and state-of-the art services to foster cancer research advancements and accelerate the discovery of tailored antitumor therapies, including histopathological analysis for the analysis of targeted cancer therapies, like traditional and new biomarker validation. The successful candidate will be responsible for performing complex histological procedures within the specialized scientific service core laboratory as a member of a high-performance project team. This person will be responsible for all histology laboratory duties from collection to the preparation of tissue samples for review and storage, including microtomy, IHC, and special staining procedures. He or she will be responsible completing those procedures in an accurate and timely manner and maintaining proper accurate records of all tests done in accordance with established policies, procedures and regulations. This individual will also develop, verify and implement procedures to accomplish research goals and histopathological-related service provision under the direction of Dr. Bilbao.

The following job description reflects the support that this position must provide. Specific responsibilities of the position include and are not limited to:

JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Facilitate teamwork flows in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, and goals are completed and coordinated with management.
2. Perform all aspects of operation in the Histology area including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, quality control and compliance. This includes keeping accurate computer research records, maintain/update data in computer-based applications/databases, record experimental data, prepare data for analysis, and contribute to the analysis, as well as maintaining records for quality control and quality assurance.
3. Perform histology-related techniques, including animal necropsy, tissue trim and embedding following defined standard operating procedure (SOP); paraffin microtomy and OCT cryotomy, complex serial and step sectioning; histological staining, immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybrization techniques.
4. Develop, adapt and implement new lab and histological procedures, including biomarker characterization.
5. Work independently and be able to solve technical and scientific problems.
6. Monitor timelines and track study/project performance, including quality of the work and turnaround time, and analyze the successful completion of projects.
7. Implement QA procedures. Prepare online request form and materials for brochures and reports, as required by the study/project. Review documents to generate reports, including the implementation of a tracking and laboratory information system. Review and track client requests, medical reports, and samples, including the supervision of tissue block access, retrieval, and inventory control.
8. Meet budgetary objectives and adjust project scope, project schedule and project costs based on project constraints and financial analysis. Bill for services and help to develop service fees.
9. Assist researchers and lab members with/while establishing, developing and performing appropriate histological protocols using advanced techniques to prepare tissue for examination and analysis. These protocols usually include grossing and fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning and staining.
10. Plan the day-to-day workload by setting an appropriate work pace, complete work assignments, identifying and solving problems, and define appropriate completion times. Distribute and balance workload and tasks (including grossing) with established work flows; make the necessary adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned tasks. Schedule coverage for the subsections within the work unit, adjusting in lieu days and annual leave as needed.
11. Assist with lab management duties; ensure equipment is operated and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions; ensure supplies are adequate for the work to be performed.
12. May train or guide the work of students and other employees.
13. Schedule and support other lab members on a variety of additional routine technical laboratory procedures in molecular biology, cell culture and animal-related techniques, like genotyping, prepare and administer compounds to mice, observing and recording physical signs of rodent health, collection of routine diagnostic samples, necropsy and tissue and organ harvest, rodent surgical procedures, non-invasive imaging of mice.
14. Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures; safeguard University assets; participate in University/outside educational training as required.
15. Perform other duties as requested.
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.

Additional Duties:
1. Produce complex laboratory assignments including the planning and conduction of experiments related to mouse model generation and characterization, devising treatment protocols and to the evaluation of response to treatment, including noninvasive imaging and pathological analysis.
2. Conduct experiments related to developing mouse models of human disease, ranging from genetically engineered mice to patient-derived xenografts
3. Work independently and be able to solve technical and scientific problems
4. Be responsible of the mouse handling, husbandry and rodent breeding, colony management and associated technical procedures such as tail clipping, animal identification, weaning, plug assessment, DNA extraction, genotyping, observing and recording physical signs of rodent health, collection of routine diagnostic samples and their analysis, including necropsy and tissue and organ harvest, as well as histochemical, hematological (CBC, flow cytometry), and clinical chemistry analysis.
5. Schedule and manage a variety of routine technical laboratory procedures in molecular biology, cell culture and animal-related techniques, like genotyping, prepare and administer compounds to mice (e.g. from intraperitoneal and intravenous injections to oral gavage), observing and recording physical signs of rodent health, collection of routine diagnostic samples, necropsy and tissue and organ harvest, as well as non-routine procedures such as rodent surgical procedures (e.g., tumor orthotopic transplantations), and non-invasive imaging of mice.
6. Keep computer records, maintain/update data in computer-based applications/databases (including specialized animal management database), record experimental data, prepare data for analysis, and contribute to the analysis.
7. Facilitate team workflows in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities, and goals are completed and coordinated with management.
8. Develop, adapt and implement new lab procedures.
9. Assist with lab management duties, including but not limited to the purchase of lab supplies, keeping inventory organized, and routine equipment maintenance. Ensure laboratory and animal rooms are kept clean and organized.
10. May train or guide the work of students and other employees.
11. Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures; safeguard University assets; participate in University/outside educational training as required.
12. Other duties as assigned by the Core Director of the Shared Resources.
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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Qualified candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in animal science, Biology, Biological Sciences, Life Science and/or other related field, or equivalent experience preferred.
Experience:
The successful candidate must have a minimum of three years of animal handling experience performing the routine as well as the specialized technical procedures mentioned above. Experience with some analytical techniques (molecular biology, hematology and clinical chemistry analyzer, histology, noninvasive imaging) is preferred.

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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 - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

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