Asst. Scientist- Petrucceli

University of Miami; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Tuition remission

Job summary

The University of Miami is seeking an Assistant Scientist, SOM to advance a neurodegeneration research program within the Miller School of Medicine. The role supports the university’s leadership in biomedical discovery and contributes to scholarly publications.

Responsibilities include experimental design and execution, collaboration with senior researchers, grant writing, manuscript preparation, and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualifications

• PhD required with a strong research background in neurodegeneration.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in research settings.
• Certification requirements described by the department.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to basic and applied research activities and authors publications and reports.
• Collaborates with senior staff to publish findings in refereed journals.
• Designs and conducts experiments and analyzes results.
• Works with researchers to use and develop end products.
• Writes extramural proposals with approval from senior staff.
• Manages access to experimental data for staff.
• Assists with equipment procurement for projects.
• Collects information from online sources and documents.
• Applies for grants and prepares materials for submission to sponsors.
• Adheres to university policies and safeguards assets.

Skills

Learning agility

Teamwork

Technical proficiency

Communication

Education

PhD

Job description

CORE JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Scientist, SOM 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

1. Contributes to basic and applied research activities and authors scientific publications, technical and agency reports, and patent preparations.
2. Collaborates with senior staff to publish findings in refereed journals.
3. Creates and conducts experiments and analyzes results.
4. Works with other researchers to use and develop end products.
5. Writes extramural proposals with approval from appropriate senior staff.
6. Provides ready access to all experimental data for managing staff.
7. Requests or acquires equipment and supplies for assigned project(s).
8. Uses the internet, surveys, legal documents, and other available sources to collect information.
9. Applies for grants to continue research and prepares materials for submission to granting agencies and foundations.
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: Doctorate degree - Philosophy (PhD) required
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of relevant experience required
• Certification and Licensing: Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements

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.

This is a core job profile description and is not reflective of all duties that may be assigned to a specific position in each individual department. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and primary responsibilities of this core job profile. Specific duties and tasks may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.

DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM

Neurodegeneration Research & Experimental Model Development

• Design, conduct, and analyze experiments investigating TDP-43 proteinopathy, RNA misprocessing, and neuroimmune interactions in neurodegenerative diseases (ALS, FTD, Alzheimer’s).
• Develop and utilize iPSC-derived neuronal models, yeast genetics, and murine experiments to study disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.
• Integrate proteomic, genetic, and transcriptomic approaches to profile disease modifiers and translational biomarkers.

Grant Writing & Scientific Communication

• Draft, edit, and submit scientific research grants, progress reports, and manuscripts for federal and foundation sponsors.
• Prepare and present posters and oral presentations at national and international scientific meetings.
• Author scientific reviews, book chapters, and abstracts.

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.

Mentorship & Training

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Provide hands‑on training for medical biotechnology and PhD students, supporting their research projects and professional development.

Collaboration & Research Dissemination

• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and external partners on multi-institutional research projects.
• Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and agency reports.

Department Specific Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in Medical Biotechnology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in neurodegeneration research, experimental model development, grant writing, and collaborative scientific projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in TDP-43 proteinopathy, RNA misprocessing, and translational biomarker discovery.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes: Advanced proficiency in experimental design, molecular and cellular techniques, and data analysis.
• Expertise in grant writing, scientific communication, and collaborative research.
• 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.

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

The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service. A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System ("UHealth") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation.

The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs. Visit welcome.miami.edu/about-um to learn more about our points of pride.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019. The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several occasions, most recently in 2022. With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.

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