Lab Operations Lead - Research Associate I

University of Miami; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Miami is seeking a Research Associate 1 to serve as the laboratory manager for the Cnidarian Immunity Laboratory at the Rosenstiel School. This hands-on role oversees day-to-day operations, manages equipment and supplies, trains students, and troubleshoots problems to ensure smooth research progress.

Responsibilities include equipment upkeep, inventory, purchasing, mentorship of undergraduates in cell culture and molecular biology, and maintaining safety, compliance, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, marine biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field.
• Two years of hands-on lab experience preferred.
• Proficiency in cell and molecular biology techniques (cell culture, microscopy, nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, gel electrophoresis).
• Ability to supervise, teach, and motivate undergraduate students.
• Strong recordkeeping and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Equipment management: maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and coordinate service. Maintain usage and maintenance records.
• Lab organization: organize space, reagents, samples, and inventories; keep resources accessible.
• Ordering and purchasing: manage supplies, budgets, vendor relationships, and purchasing paperwork.
• Training and mentorship: supervise undergraduate researchers in cell culture and molecular biology; onboarding and safety training.
• Troubleshooting: diagnose and resolve protocol/instrument issues; primary point of contact for problems.
• Safety and compliance: ensure chemical and biological safety compliance, waste disposal, and related documentation.
• Research support: assist ongoing projects at bench, including sample processing and assay development.

Skills

Learning Agility

Teamwork

Technical Proficiency

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Job description

The University of Miami is seeking a Research Associate 1 to serve as the laboratory manager for the Cnidarian Immunity Laboratory at the Rosenstiel School. This hands-on role oversees day-to-day operations, manages equipment and supplies, trains students, and troubleshoots problems to ensure smooth research progress.

Responsibilities include equipment upkeep, inventory, purchasing, mentorship of undergraduates in cell culture and molecular biology, and maintaining safety, compliance, and