Research Associate 3, SOM (A)

About the role

The department of Medicine at the University of Miami has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Research Associate 3.

Responsibilities

• Maintains daily operations and performs procedures related to new and on-going research projects.
• Aids in ordering, purchasing, and maintaining all required reagents and supplies for laboratory activities, and monitors and maintains inventory of supplies and stocks.
• Maintains institutional biosafety and animal care protocols, laboratory safety records, and standard operating procedures.
• Performs and assists other research staff with standard laboratory techniques.
• Develops, adapts, and implements new laboratory procedures.
• Records, organizes, and writes up experimental results for submission of manuscripts and for scientific presentations.
• Keeps abreast of latest literature in the field and searches for references to technical problems.
• Maintains current knowledge of the methods and techniques related to the specific field of research.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Department Specific Functions

• Independently design, perform, and troubleshoot experiments investigating mechanisms of pulmonary inflammation, immune regulation, tissue repair, and resolution biology.
• Conduct animal procedures including intratracheal instillation, intranasal administration, bronchoalveolar lavage, tissue harvesting, blood collection, and survival studies.
• Isolate and characterize immune cell populations from lung, lymphoid tissues, blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens.
• Design, optimize, and execute high-parameter spectral flow cytometry panels (25–40 colors) for comprehensive immune phenotyping.
• Perform cell sorting and downstream molecular analyses of macrophages, T regulatory cells, monocytes, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and other immune populations.
• Execute molecular biology techniques including RNA isolation, qPCR, bulk RNA sequencing sample preparation, single-cell RNA sequencing workflows, TCR sequencing, and gene expression analyses.
• Perform cell culture experiments involving primary macrophages, T lymphocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and immortalized cell lines.
• Conduct advanced immunologic assays including phagocytosis, cytokine profiling, proliferation assays, intracellular signaling studies, and functional immune cell characterization.
• Conduct spatial transcriptomics, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence imaging, and image analysis.
• Maintain breeding colonies and perform genotyping of transgenic and conditional knockout mouse models.
• Analyze experimental data using FlowJo, Prism, R, and other bioinformatic platforms.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records, experimental databases, standard operating procedures, and quality-control documentation.
• Prepare figures, datasets, protocols, abstracts, manuscripts, and grant-related materials for publication and presentation.
• Train and supervise students, technicians, fellows, and research staff in laboratory techniques and animal procedures.
• Collaborate with investigators, core facilities, and external research partners to support multidisciplinary translational research projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience required.
• Master's degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field preferred.
• AALAS certification preferred.
• Training and certification in animal handling and biosafety procedures are preferred.
• Flow cytometry and cell sorting experience strongly preferred.

Skills and Attitudes

• 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.

Benefits

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.