Post Doctoral Associate - Biology

University of Miami; Coral Gables, Northern (FL, KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences invites applications for a full-time Post Doctoral Associate to join the Wilson Lab on the Coral Gables Campus. The project investigates mTORC1 as a master regulator of aphid/Buchnera endosymbiosis, blending cell biology with evolutionary questions in a collaborative, lab-based environment.

The successful candidate will contribute to publications, potentially co-mentor undergraduate researchers, and receive support for conference travel with

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in cell biology, developmental biology, evolutionary biology or a related field at time of hire.
• Hands-on experience with confocal microscopy.
• Competence in applied statistics.
• A record of peer-reviewed publication.
• Ability to advance a project with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Experience analyzing high-throughput sequencing data preferred.
• Microdissection and microinjection of insects preferred.
• RNA-seq from small or dissected tissue samples preferred.
• Insect performance and life-history assays preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on specific areas of study as assigned.
• Prepare research reports and technical papers for publishing.
• Investigate the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories.
• Maintain substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
• Develop advanced analytical models and systems and provide solutions and analyses to support strategic and tactical decisions.
• Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguard University assets.
• 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.

Skills

Communication

Lab techniques

Data analysis

Education

PhD in cell biology or related field

Tools

Confocal microscopy

Statistics tools

Job description

Current Employees: If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position, please review this tip sheet. The University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences has an exciting opportunity for a full time Post Doctoral Associate to work in Coral Gables, FL. The Post Doctoral Associate performs scientific research and studies under the supervision of managing staff. Moreover, the Post Doctoral Associate promotes institutional recognition through literal contributions to the scientific community.

The Wilson Lab seeks a Postdoctoral Associate for an NSF-funded project testing the hypothesis that mTORC1 acts as a master regulator of the aphid/Buchnera endosymbiosis. Aphids house Buchnera in specialized bacteriocytes and must coordinate bacterial population growth with their own development and reproduction across generations. We are asking whether a conserved nutrient‑sensing pathway is the mechanism that makes that coordination possible — a question at the intersection of cell biology and the evolution that has not been addressed directly in any insect system. The position is primarily laboratory‑based, with a substantial computational component, and will be carried out as part of a collaborative research team. Candidates from any relevant background are encouraged to apply, whether or not they have previously worked on insects or symbiosis. What matters is curiosity about how endosymbioses are regulated and a willingness to work in a system where some of the tools are still being built. The successful candidate will join the Wilson Lab within the Host‑Microbe Interactions (HoMI) Laboratory, which is part of the Symbiosis@UM cluster within the Department of Biology, on the Coral Gables Campus of the University of Miami.

What the position offers

The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to publications as first author, have the opportunity to co‑mentor undergraduate researchers, and receive support for conference travel. Candidates who wish to pursue independent fellowship funding are encouraged to do so and will be supported with mentoring plans, letters, and feedback on drafts. The University of Miami provides institutional access to career development resources for postdoctoral scholars.

Core responsibilities

• Conduct research on specific areas of study as assigned.
• Prepare research reports and technical papers for publishing.
• Investigate the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories.
• Maintain substantial knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art principles and theories.
• Develop advanced analytical models and systems and provide solutions and analyses to support strategic and tactical decisions.
• Adhere to University and unit‑level policies and procedures and safeguard University assets.
• 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.

Core qualifications

• Ph.D. in cell biology, developmental biology, evolutionary biology or a related field at time of hire.
• Hands‑on experience with confocal microscopy.
• Competence in applied statistics.
• A record of peer‑reviewed publication.
• The ability to advance a project with limited day‑to‑day supervision, and to work productively in a multidisciplinary group.
• Experience analyzing high‑throughput sequencing data preferred.
• Microdissection and microinjection of insects preferred.
• RNA‑seq from small or dissected tissue samples preferred.
• Insect performance and life‑history assays preferred.

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems and is among the largest employers in South Florida. With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully. United by shared values, the University community works together to build an environment defined by purpose, collaboration, and service.

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

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.

The University ranks No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges list and ranked No. 49 in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. 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.