Postdoctoral Associate - Surgery

Core Job Summary

The Postdoctoral 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.

Core Job Functions

• Counsults with managing staff to determine research focus.
• Conducts research on specific areas of study as assigned.
• Prepares research reports and technical papers for publishing.
• Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories.
• Maintains substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
• Develops advanced analytical models and systems and provides solutions and analyses to support strategic and tactical decisions.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Core Qualifications

• Education: Doctorate degree in relevant field required.
• Experience: No Previous Experience Required.
• Certification and Licensing: Refer To Department Description For Applicable Certification Requirements.

Department Addendum

• Lead and coordinate research studies investigating engineered probiotic therapies (EcN-GAD and EcN-BUT) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
• Design, conduct, and troubleshoot in vivo studies using murine models of paclitaxel- and oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.
• Perform behavioral pain assessments, including von Frey, Randall-Selitto, thermal nociception, and other validated pain assays.
• Culture, characterize, and validate engineered E. coli Nissle strains and assess metabolite production and stability.
• Conduct molecular, cellular, and microbiome analyses including RNA isolation, qPCR, RNA sequencing, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and cytokine profiling.
• Coordinate metabolomic studies including sample preparation and collaboration with the metabolomics core for LC-MS/MS analysis of GABA, butyrate, and related metabolites.
• Analyze microbiome sequencing data and integrate multi-omics datasets (microbiome, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and behavioral outcomes).
• Mentor graduate students, technicians, and undergraduate trainees in experimental techniques and data analysis.
• Prepare manuscripts, conference presentations, progress reports, and grant applications.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and contribute to the development of new research initiatives related to the gut-brain axis, microbiome therapeutics, cancer survivorship, pain, and neuroimmune interactions.
• Ensure compliance with IACUC, biosafety, and institutional research regulations.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum Qualifications Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience with experimental design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of complex biological data.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience: Experience with rodent models of pain, neuroinflammation, cancer, or gastrointestinal disease.
• Experience with microbiome research, bacterial culture, microbial engineering, or host-microbiome interactions.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques including qPCR, RNA-seq, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry.
• Experience with microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses.
• Familiarity with metabolomics approaches, including LC-MS/MS.
• Experience working with large biological datasets and statistical software (R, Prism, Python, or equivalent).
• Prior experience in gut-brain axis research, neuroimmune signaling, chronic pain, opioid biology, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or live biotherapeutic development.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong publication record and potential for obtaining independent research funding.

Department Specific Qualifications

• Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes: Postdoctoral Fellow – Gut-Brain Axis and Microbiome Therapeutics The Roy Laboratory at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate novel microbiome-engineered therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The successful candidate will lead studies integrating microbiome science, pain neurobiology, metabolomics, and neuroimmune signaling using cutting-edge molecular and translational approaches. This position offers outstanding opportunities for scientific leadership, publication, mentorship, and career development within a highly funded and collaborative research environment.

Job Status

Full time

Employee Type

Staff