Biological Scientist I-Department of Neurosurgery-Spine

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

1d

About The Position

The Department of Neurosurgery-Spine is seeking a Biological Scientist I to perform a variety of laboratory techniques and provide support for research involving animal models. This role will involve molecular biology techniques, microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. The position also includes providing technical supervision and assistance to students and volunteers, offering animal support services, and coordinating surgical suite usage. Responsibilities extend to performing anesthesia, surgical support, and routine veterinary procedures for laboratory animals, as well as maintaining health records and databases. The scientist will conduct and oversee preclinical experiments in animal models of neural disease, brain tumors, and tumor metastases, ensuring accurate record-keeping and data management. This includes assisting with experimental design, protocol modification, and specimen collection for diagnostic evaluations. The role also involves processing incoming animals, assisting with health maintenance, and providing technical and irradiation support.

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/rat surgical procedures
• Microscopy
• Molecular techniques (immunohistochemistry)
• Basic statistical methods

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory techniques including: molecular biology (PCR, nucleic acid extractions specifically RNA), microscopy, immunohistochemistry, western blot.
• 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.
• 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 neural disease.
• 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.
• Complete necessary laboratory records and requisitions.
• Collect and/or dissect specimens.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level