Biological Scientist II

Biological Scientist II

The Martinez-Rivera Lab focused on the Neurobiology of (Mal)Adaptive Behaviors has an opening for a Biological Scientist in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Florida, Gainesville. The Scientist will be directly working with the Principal Investigator (Dr. Freddyson J. Martinez-Rivera) in establishing the foundations, team, techniques/equipment, experimental designs, and culture of the new Lab.

Duties Include:

The position mainly requires assisting/maintaining lab protocols (i.e. IACUC, Biosafety), inventory, and equipment. Conducting experiments, data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation is also a plus. Direct involvement in managing the lab, training/supervising students, and buying equipment/supplies and animals. Experience working with mice and/or rats is highly recommended.

Leading additional activities that include (but are not limited):

• Monitoring/managing mouse and rat colonies and genotyping.
• Ensuring ethical treatment of animals, good euthanasia practices, and tissue processing.
• Accountability for lab inventories.
• Managing skills (i.e. ensuring staff compliance and rules).
• Ensuring workplace ethics, and inclusiveness in a diverse environment.
• Assisting in budget preparation.
• Excellent teamwork practices.
• Rodent stereotaxic surgeries and post-op care.
• Participate in laboratory activities (i.e. weekly journal clubs, retreats, and lab meetings).
• Establish priorities, create schedules/calendars, and monitor performance.
• Database and group management (i.e. Microsoft Office, R studio, statistical software, Slack, Microsoft Teams) is highly recommended.
• Excellent communication skills, critical thinking, organized, and problem-solving.
• Ability to work remotely and long-term commitment is highly desired.

$46,000.00 - $50,000.00

Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field and three years of experience or Master's degree in biology or a related field with one year of relevant experience.

Some experience with rodent models of substance use disorders (i.e. drug self-administration), stress/depression (i.e. social defeat), decision-making tasks, and OCD/PTSD (approach/avoidance tasks). This will be combined with cellular and molecular techniques such as optogenetics, fiber photometry, transcriptomics, epigenetics, immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization. Experience in bioinformatic or coding approaches (i.e. R studio, python) is also a plus.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

This is a time limited position.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.