TBI Researcher

Join to apply for the TBI Researcher - Open Rank role at University of South Florida Libraries

Location:

4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA

Job

The Department of Neurosurgery at USF is seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Translational Basic Scientist Researcher in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Interests in additional areas of neuroscience such as the molecular basis of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS-FTD, Ataxia, Huntington's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke/vascular dementia and other neurological and psychiatric disorders are also welcome, as long as the individual’s research is largely focused in the field of TBI.

The candidate will be expected to collaborate with clinical and engineering teams to translate laboratory findings into therapeutic strategies. The successful candidate for this position is expected to have already established, or have the potential to establish, a nationally recognized, competitively funded research program and participate in graduate/medical student education and mentoring. The successful candidate will be provided with dry and wet laboratory space at the Center for Aging & Brain Repair and be placed in the Department of Neurosurgery as a home Department.

Successful candidates will be offered institutional salary support commensurate with experience and highly competitive start‑up packages that promote success.

• Conduct innovative and high‑impact basic science research on traumatic brain injury with a focus on mechanisms of injury, repair and neuroinflammation.
• Utilize in‑vivo and in‑vitro models to investigate molecular and cellular pathways involved in TBI pathophysiology.
• Develop and implement designs for biomarker discovery and therapeutic interventions.
• Provide didactic and benchside teaching of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Provide Departmental or college‑wide seminars.
• Perform basic and translational research in the area of traumatic injury, and other areas of neuroscience. Apply for external grants. Publish in peer‑review journals and present research at appropriate external scientific conferences.
• Participate in service functions of the department and university, as well as at the national level, including committees, editorial boards, and study sections.

• MINIMUM:
  PhD or equivalent required.
• Strong research background in traumatic brain injury or a closely related field, with demonstrated expertise in preclinical and/or translational research.
• Proven record of publications in high‑impact journals.
• Experience with animal models of brain injury and advanced techniques such as imaging, histology, molecular biology, and behavior assays.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative mindset.

• Experience with high‑dimensional data analysis, including genomics, proteomics, or transcriptomics.
• Familiarity with neuroinflammation, neural repair mechanisms, and TBI‑related comorbidities.
• Ability to bridge basic and clinical research and contribute to the development of novel therapies.

Working at USF:
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF’s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No.

1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first‑class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF:
The University of South Florida is a top‑ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota‑Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health…