Sr. Research Associate 1, SOM

University of Miami; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Miami/UHealth department of The Miami Project invites applications for a Full Time Sr. Research Associate 1 to support laboratory-based research on TEM analyses at the UHealth Medical Campus.

The role emphasizes handling complex projects and mentoring junior staff and students. Core duties include TEM experiments, sample preparation, sectioning, staining grids, immunogold procedures, and operating high-end microscopes.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field is required or strongly preferred.
• CEMT certification is preferred.
• Proven ability to collect, organize, and analyze data in a research setting.
• Ability to train staff, students, and junior associates in SOPs and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform specialized experiments in TEM field with precision.
• Prepare, analyze, and embed samples for TEM analyses.
• Sectioning for ultramicrotomy and staining grids for contrast.
• Operate TEMs and ultramicrotomes and acquire high-quality images.
• Assist users, run scope and software, and maintain login records.
• Ensure lab safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Maintain lab equipment and coordinate with facilities for repairs.
• Train students and volunteers on SOPs and core equipment usage.

Skills

Data analysis

Independent work

Lab safety

Training and mentoring

Education

Master's Degree in relevant field

CEMT certification

Tools

JEOL JEM-1400 TEM

Ultramicrotome

Job description

Sr. Research Associate 1

The University of Miami/UHealth department of The Miami Project has an exciting opportunity for a Full Time Sr. Research Associate 1 to work at the UHealth Medical Campus. The Sr. Research Associate 1, SOM (A) provides laboratory-based support for the University's research activities by tackling the more specialized and complex projects and experiments. Additionally, the incumbent leverages expertise in training and mentoring department staff, students, and less experienced research associates.

CORE JOB SUMMARY

The Sr. Research Associate 1, SOM (A) provides laboratory-based support for the University's research activities by tackling the more specialized and complex projects and experiments. Additionally, the incumbent leverages expertise in training and mentoring department staff, students, and less experienced research associates.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs specialized and complex experiments in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) field.
• Advances expertise through education, training, and research. Collects, prepares, analyzes, dissects, and evaluates samples for TEM, including resin-embedding block tissue, cell cultures and pellets.
• Performs sectioning for semi-thin and thin sections in the ultramicrotome.
• Stains the sections collected onto grids for contrast. Loads nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles onto grids.
• Specialized tasks to include immunostaining (immunogold) at the TEM level.
• Operates sensitive and highly complex laboratory equipment such as the ultramicrotomes and the transmission electron microscopes.
• Acquires images in the transmission electron microscope and sends electronic copies to users.
• Assists in checking-in users who come to operate the electron microscope independently, including starting the scope and the camera software, and completing the login sheet.
• Performs quality checks on safety of laboratories, including bio hazards, and insures maintenance of the facilities according to good laboratory practices.
• Responsible for preparing the laboratories for the annual Environmental Health and Safety inspection.
• Maintains laboratory equipment in compliance with federal regulations including the two transmission electron microscopes.
• Contacts technicians to perform necessary repairs.
• Updates protocols accordingly - both hard copies and electronic files in the shared drive.
• Assists in training students and volunteers in the standard operating procedures of the Core and equipment specific requirements.
• Interacts with other laboratories and TEM Core users. Participates in training sessions, workshops and presentations.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Department Specific Functions

The Senior RA1 will be responsible for processing samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. This function includes, but it is not limited to, embedding samples (block tissue, cell cultures, pellets, etc.) in resin, sectioning blocks in the ultramicrotome and staining grids. Other specialized duties are loading grids with nanoparticles/extracellular vesicles, immunogold staining for TEM, and operating the two JEOL JEM-1400 electron microscopes. The Senior RA1 will interact with TEM Core users, train students, present at workshops, and assist the Manager in the general maintenance of the laboratory.

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

• Master's Degree in relevant field
• No experience required. Preference- 3 years of relevant experience in transmission electron microscopy and histology.
• CEMT certification preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
• Skill in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data.
• Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.
• Ability to recognize, analyze, and identify histological tissue.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.
• Proficient in basic computer operations and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to recognize, analyze, and identify histological tissue.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to operate instruments independently.

• 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 th