Sr. Research Associate - Ophthalmology; Miami, FL

The University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, has an exciting full time opportunity for a Senior Research Associate 2 in Miami, Florida.

The Senior Research Associate 2, SOM ensures that the operations of the assigned laboratory are efficient and in compliance with applicable guidelines and regulations. Moreover, this employee engages in complex and specialized research activities in furtherance of the University’s research goals and objectives.  
** CORE JOB FUNCTIONS
*** Contributes to basic and applied research activities by collecting and analyzing data and maintaining databases.
* Understands and interprets research protocols and procedures.
* Participates in the publication of significant results.
* Advances expertise through continued education, training, and research.
* Maintains an overview of relevant research findings.
* Ensures all research is undertaken according to good research practice.
* Stays abreast of developments in the field which may impact department functions.
* Provides guidance, mentorship, and oversight to junior research staff and students.
* Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.  
*** This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.**
* ** CORE QUALIFICATIONS
*
* Education:

Master's degree in relevant field required

Experience:

Minimum 1 year of relevant experience required  Certification and Licensing:
Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements  
*
* Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

*** 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.  This is a core job profile description and is not reflective of all duties that may be assigned to a specific position in each individual department. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and primary responsibilities of this core job profile. Specific duties and tasks may vary based upon departmental needs.

Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.  
** Department Specific Requirements:
*** Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, conducts collaborative and independent research that involves diagnostic microbiology and molecular biology tools including, but not limited to:  + Specialized antimicrobial susceptibility testing to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of antimicrobial agents and to confirm important resistance phenotypes.  + Development and validation of molecular diagnostic tests in collaboration with research and clinical scientists.  

+ Analytical validations of a highly multiplexed diagnostic panel for detection of clinically relevant ocular pathogens.  + Use of molecular biology tools (PCR and subtyping methods) for detection of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes, determination of microbial population compositions and identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens.  + Preparation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries for bacterial genome sequencing.  + Support in developing and optimizing NGS approaches for pathogen detection from clinical samples.
* Completes appropriate training for each research project.  Adheres to all Institute policies and procedures, attends annual training sessions,…