Sr. Research Associate ; Cancer Modeling University of Miami Miami, FL

Job Summary

The Senior Research Associate 3 conducts highly specialized and complex research in support of the division's research goals and objectives and assumes responsibility for the successful operations of the laboratory. The incumbent also supervises the activities of all laboratory staff and users and serves as subject‑matter expert and mentor to less experienced staff.

• Contributes to basic and applied research activities by collecting and analyzing data.
• Understands and interprets research protocols and procedures.
• Maintains an overview of relevant research findings.
• Ensures all research is undertaken according to good research practice.
• Designs, evaluates, and implements methods and protocols for assigned research projects.
• Recommends purchase of new equipment for research projects.
• Writes scientific articles and manuscripts for publication and presentation.
• Oversees and ensures the safe handling of radioactive and hazardous materials.
• Prepares analytical reports relative to research data.
• Adheres to University and unit‑level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is currently seeking a Microinjections - Senior Research Associate 3 who will join the Cancer Modeling Shared Resource. This translational Facility provides qualified, cost effective and state‑of‑the‑art services to foster cancer research advancements and accelerate the discovery of tailored antitumor therapies. We are seeking a dynamic individual who would like to participate in the creation and development of new service lines in a busy and fast‑paced environment, mainly focused on the implementation of advanced techniques and technologies to produce and manipulate customized genetically engineered rodents.

He or she will perform a broad range of tasks related to generation of genetically modified mice including microinjection of fertilized oocytes, microinjection and electroporation of zygotes, cryopreservation of embryos/sperm and reanimation of mouse strains, molecular biology, and mouse reproductive physiology methods. This person will directly assist the Director in running and implementing new services for the generation of transgenic, knock‑out, knock‑in and gene‑edited mice, as well as developing and adapting state‑of‑the‑art editing technologies to support researchers in the field of transgenesis and functional genomics.

The successful candidate will also develop, implement, and update the procedures required to accomplish research goals and preclinical mouse model‑related service provision under the direction of Dr. Bilbao. Specific responsibilities of the position include and are not limited to:
Design, evaluate, and implement methods and protocols related to generation of transgenic and gene‑edited mice and rats by zygote electroporation and pronuclear or cytoplasmic injection of DNA and CRISPR gRNA/cas9; and gene targeting by electroporation and injection of ES/iPS cells into blastocysts for the generation of chimeric mice. Design, evaluate, and implement methods and protocols related to preservation and reproductive support of novel mouse and rat lines generated, including embryo cryopreservation, sperm cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization, and rederivation.

Responsible for embryo handling, embryo transfer and other relevant surgical procedures. Assist with the maintenance of the animal colonies, hormone injections for superovulation of mice and rats, tail biopsies, surgical vasectomies, and general lab maintenance. Prepare reagents to meet the demands of multiple research projects that will require flexible work hours working in concert with project scientists while adhering to quality control procedures for ensuring consistency of experimental outcomes.

Understands nucleic acid chemistry, recombinant DNA manipulations, and gene transfer protocols, interprets experimental outcomes, and elaborates solutions to technical problems encountered while developing and implementing in transgenic‑related services. Accurate and reliable record keeping including database management, batch records, notebooks, and all…