RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR

University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 82,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alabama at Birmingham seeks a Research Scientist Senior in the Ophthalmology department to lead significant research efforts and oversee experimental design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

The role emphasizes translational studies, grant development, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, including management of IACUC protocols and study oversight in a dynamic academic setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in biomedical sciences, physiology, or related field (preferred).
• Experience with translational research, grant writing, and publication of scientific manuscripts.
• Familiarity with multi-omics approaches, systems biology, and microbiome-host interactions.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct scientific research, including experimental design and evaluation of projects.
• Design and oversee preclinical and translational studies related to metabolic diseases and gut microbiome.
• Maintain lab records, GLP adherence, and regulatory documentation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and supervise lab personnel.

Job description

Job Description - RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR (T238711)

RESEARCH SCIENTIST SENIOR - ( T238711 )

Description

Position Summary

The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ophthalmology Department, is in search of a Research Scientist Senior to join their team.

General Responsibilities

A Research Scientist Senior oversees substantial research projects, providing expert guidance and ensuring rigorous scientific standards. This role involves a broader scope of responsibility, including project management, cross-functional collaboration, and securing funding through grant proposals. Senior scientists exercise considerable discretion in research decisions and play a pivotal role in shaping the research agenda. Depending on the research focus, this position may involve research collaborator contact, research animal contact, and/or specimens.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct scientific research, including independent evaluation of research projects, experimental design, and adaptation or modification of standard and advanced scientific methodologies.
• Design, perform, and oversee preclinical and translational studies related to metabolic diseases, including diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, obesity, cardiovascular complications, and gut microbiome-associated disorders.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and ensure adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and institutional safety regulations.
• Manage and maintain laboratory records, inventories, animal colonies, databases, and regulatory documentation.
• Attend and actively participate in laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, journal clubs, and scientific conferences.
• Design and conduct gastroenterology research studies focused on gastrointestinal physiology, gut microbiome-host interactions, intestinal inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the gut-retina/gut-metabolic disease axis.
• Perform data collection, management, and analysis while ensuring data integrity, quality assurance, protocol compliance, and reproducibility of results.
• Prepare statistical analyses, scientific reports, research summaries, figures, graphs, presentations, and manuscripts for publication and grant applications.
• Supervise and perform quality control procedures and contribute to the development, validation, and implementation of new research methodologies.
• Develop, write, submit, and maintain Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols and ensure compliance with institutional, federal, and ethical guidelines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including investigators, clinicians, trainees, and research staff, to support study objectives and research initiatives.
• Train and provide technical guidance to laboratory personnel, students, and research trainees on experimental procedures and laboratory best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary Range

$81,525- $ 132,475

Qualifications

Doctorate degree in a related field and three (3) years of related experience OR Master's degree in a related field and five (5) years of related experience OR Bachelor's degree in a related field and seven (7) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

Preferences

• Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in biomedical sciences, physiology, gastroenterology, metabolism, immunology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• Experience with translational research, grant writing, and publication of scientific manuscripts.
• Familiarity with multi-omics approaches, systems biology, and microbiome-host interaction studies.
• Experience investigating the role of gut microbiome in metabolic diseases.
• Extensive knowledge of IACUC policies, animal research regulations, and protocol development.
• Experience designing and executing studies related to metabolic diseases, including diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, obesity, insulin resistance, and associated complications.
• Experience conducting gastroenterology and gastrointestinal research, including studies involving gut microbiota, intestinal physiology, inflammatory bowel disease, liver-gut interactions, metabolic syndrome, and microbiome-based therapeutic approaches. Proficiency in flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, epigenetic analyses, immunofluorescence staining, and molecular imaging techniques.
• Experience performing and analyzing echocardiography, electroretinography (ERG), histological assessments, and microscopy-based assays.
• Strong background in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, DNA/RNA extraction, cloning, gene expression analysis, and cell culture methodologies.
• Experience with microbiome research techniques, including microbial DNA isolation, 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics data analysis.
• Experience working with mouse models of metabolic, gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and retinal diseases, including breeding, genotyping, colony management, and phenotyping.
• Knowledge of statistical software and data analysis tools for biological and biomedical research.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex datasets, troubleshoot experiments, and interpret scientific findings independently.
• Strong scientific writing, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, and veteran's status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB's Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.

Primary Location

University

Job Category

Scientific Research

Organization

311600000 Ophthalmology

Employee Status

Regular

Shift : Day/1st Shift

Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager) : Onsite