Job no: 515057
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Agriculture/Life Science/Vet Medicine, Research/Scientific/Grants
Department:29180300 - MD-NEUROLOGY-MOVEMENT DISORDER

Advertised: 10 Nov 2020 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 27 Nov 2020 Eastern Standard Time

Biological Scientist III

This is a senior biological scientist position working in the laboratory of Dr. Matthew LaVoie in the Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease. Incumbent will have primary responsibility for design, execution, and data analysis of biochemical studies related to Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis in support of multiple NIH funded projects in collaboration with the primary investigator. Additionally, this position will play a key role in helping to manage day-to-day functions of the laboratory.

Duties include:

• Design, implement, and validate multiple studies, in collaboration with the primary investigator, focusing on the LRRK2 and Parkin genes and their role in Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. This will involve cell culture, iPSC maintenance and differentiation, and primary cell culture work from novel mouse models. High content image analysis, along with a diverse array of biochemical assays will be conducted independently by the scientist.
• Provide consultation and supervise standard assays performed by other members of the laboratory which may include SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and various modes of microscopy. The incumbent is expected to perform at a senior level and contribute independent research expertise to the laboratory research mission and to assist other team members.
• Maintain all procedures and documents required as part of good laboratory practice, including quality control and quality assurance. General lab maintenance including ordering lab supplies and maintaining equipment/facility records, along with other lab members. Incumbent may also train visiting/junior staff including graduate students involved in research.
• Provide basic animal husbandry and/or maintain colony.
• Assist with manuscript preparation of research findings for submission to peer-reviewed publications and conferences

$50,000 - $55,000; commensurate education and experience

Bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field and seven years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree in biology or a closely related field and five years of relevant experience; Doctoral degree in biology or a closely related field and two years of relevant experience.

The preferred candidate will have a master’s or doctoral in biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience or a related field with at least five (5) years of experience in neurodegenerative disease research, or related background.

The successful candidate’s skills should include DNA and RNA extractions, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time quantitative PCR, sequencing (Sanger and high-throughput analyses), electrophoresis, confocal microscopy, high content imaging. Experience with genetic and molecular biology instrumentation and software’s is advantageous; knowledge of basic human genetics and molecular and cellular biology is required. The ability to work independently, analyze and present data, multitask, and maintain close communication with the Supervisor/Director is required. Excellent teamwork and communication skills are essential.

Good organizational skills, detail oriented, sound degree of computer literacy, ability to methodically record data and to analyze data using basic statistics, ability to perform a variety of routine tasks and prioritize work, good interpersonal and communication skills, ability to demonstrate professionalism.

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

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

Yes