Research Scientist

Department Name: Pharmaceutical Science

College/Division: USF Health- Taneja College of Pharmacy

Salary Plan: Non-Student Temporary OPS 

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $43,000-45,000/year 1.0 FTE

Organizational Summary: 

The USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy is managed by the Dean and an actively engaged administrative leadership team.  The mission of the college is to Transform Health through educating students to be outstanding and successful practitioners and leaders in the profession; through leading in discovery and innovation of education and practice in pharmacy; and through delivering the highest quality care in diverse, interprofessional clinical and community settings.

Job Summary: 

This position is pivotal to advancing the research goals of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, involving a wide range of vital laboratory tasks such as precise sterile techniques, expert animal handling, histological slide preparation, and conducting assays for biological components. Supported by substantial grants funding, this role offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to delve into cutting-edge research focused on cardiovascular diseases. The primary focus involves evaluating the effectiveness of gene, drug, and potential therapies to slow or halt neurological impairment, utilizing various experimental methods in cell culture and animal models. 

The Research Scientist will help with ongoing research investigation in PI’s lab on the following areas. 

• Executes and adapts laboratory research protocols involving biological materials, employing techniques such as mammalian tissue cultures and histology. Proficient in sterile techniques, the preparation of slides using staining methods, and the execution of assays for proteins (including western blotting), RNA, DNA, and other cellular components.
• Responsible for the care and handling of laboratory animals, including performing standardized experimental protocols, in vivo procedures, surgical preparation, and post-operative care, as well as animal breeding, tissue collection, and genotyping. 
• Maintains meticulous records detailing the processes and results of laboratory analyses, potentially inputting data into databases. Also, adept at creating graphs, charts, and tables to illustrate experimental findings, ensuring their inclusion in presentations and publications.
• Manages the upkeep of laboratory equipment, coordinates repairs as needed, oversees the ordering and inventory of laboratory supplies, calibrates instruments, and ensures compliance with lab safety standards, SOP records, and cleanliness protocols. Additionally, responsible for reagent preparation, autoclaving, and ensuring the availability of necessary standard supplies and reagents for experiments.
• Collaborates closely with the principal investigator, lab manager, students, and fellow lab members to support the successful execution of research projects, aiding in tasks such as report and publication preparation under the guidance of the principal investigator.
• Available for weekend experimental procedures as required, and fulfills additional assigned duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical or medical science.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Have a master’s degree in the areas of Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacy, Life Science etc. and should have prior knowledge & experience about Cell culture, Molecular Biology, lab maintenance, handling mice and conducting animal experiments.