Biological Scientist I-Department of Neurosurgery-Preston A Wells, Jr

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

1d

About The Position

This position is in the Department of Neurosurgery and involves performing various laboratory techniques and providing support for animal research. The role requires conducting preclinical experiments in animal models, maintaining detailed records, and potentially supervising students. Responsibilities include cell culture, molecular biology techniques, microscopy, flow cytometry, and providing comprehensive animal support services, including anesthesia, surgical assistance, and post-operative care.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biology or a closely related life science field.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with cell culture and/or animal models
• Mouse surgical procedures
• Flow cytometry
• Microscopy
• Molecular techniques (PCR, ELISA, and genomics)
• Basic statistical methods

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory techniques including: cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology (PCR, nucleic acid extractions specifically RNA), microscopy.
• Assist PI in providing technical supervision and assistance to students and volunteers.
• Provide animal support services for faculty.
• Participate in optimizing existing methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes; modify existing guidelines for procedures.
• Schedule use of Animal Services surgical suites and coordination of tasks around schedule availability.
• Provide anesthesia and surgical support for multiple species as necessary.
• Maintains preclinical health records and supporting records and databases as needed. Also gives injections, administers oral medications, removes sutures, dresses wounds and changes bandages, and provides other routine veterinary procedures.
• Provide surgical and post-surgical monitoring and care.
• Oversee undergraduate students in their research that includes animal work.
• Provide communication and support, technical service support, irradiation support, and rodent surgical suite/ anesthesia cart.
• Process incoming animals and assist in routine health maintenance.
• Conduct preclinical experiments in animal models of brain tumors and tumor metastases; oversee their execution; maintain accurate laboratory records that record research methods, procedures, and results; prepare and maintain research findings, summaries, logs, and notes.
• Assist with designing sampling plans or coordinate the collection of samples.
• Assist with modifying existing protocols to improve existing techniques or to incorporate new diagnostic procedures; search scientific literature to select and modify methods and procedures most appropriate for research goals.
• Collect biological and tissue specimens for diagnostic evaluations from laboratory animals. This may include but is not limited to collecting blood samples, tissues from necropsy animals and any other specimen requested by the veterinary staff or other samples necessary for health surveillance.
• Complete necessary laboratory records and requisitions.
• Collect and/or dissect specimens.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level