Biological Scientist IV

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The University of Florida’s Diabetes Institute (UFDI) is seeking a Biological Scientist IV to support tissue sample processing and data generation for type 1 diabetes research. The position applies molecular and single-cell biology expertise to human tissue research and supports laboratory studies in type 1 diabetes genetics, human immune development, and adaptive immunity. The role oversees spatial transcriptomics operations, processes and prepares human tissue samples for assays, and manages sample-processing workflows for next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence image data. It directs research studies for the UFDI Spatial Transcriptomics and Multi-Omics Research Group, including supervision of scientists, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates. The position develops methods for spatial biology research in type 1 diabetes, operates specialized multi-omic imaging platforms, and creates computational approaches for data analysis and visualization. The position coordinates spatial transcriptomics, scRNA-seq, and high-parameter imaging services for UFDI and collaborating College of Medicine members. It develops and oversees laboratory SOPs and ensures proper processing of cell and tissue samples for the UFDI multi-omics core. It also leads data management and analysis-pipeline development, manages UF Hipergator resources, develops the UFDI multi-omics codebook, and shares relevant resources through GitHub or other applicable platforms. Additional work includes manuscript development and writing; reports to the PI and UFDI leadership, including reports for NIH, FDOH, and other funding authorities; grant-writing participation; presentations at scientific meetings; publication preparation and submission; accurate laboratory recordkeeping; laboratory maintenance and regulatory compliance for chemical and biohazardous materials; and keeping current with relevant advances in histology, imaging, and image processing. Other duties may be assigned by the project manager and principal investigator. This is a time-limited position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field and 13 years of experience; or a master's degree in biology or a related field and 11 years of experience; or a doctoral degree in biology or a related field and 8 years of experience.
Submit a cover letter and resume to be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing and troubleshooting fluorophore-antibody-filterset combinations and microscope parameters for interpretable signal-to-noise image acquisition.
Experience with tissue-clearing approaches and 3D image acquisition and analysis.
Knowledge of coding environments, cloning repositories, command-line/terminal execution, Linux operating systems, and building code from source.
Knowledge and education covering major systems in human physiology and pathophysiology.
Consistent history of productivity evidenced by contributions to publications, grants, abstracts, and presentations.

Responsibilities

Direct, manage, and execute research studies for the UF Diabetes Institute Spatial Transcriptomics and Multi-Omics Research Group.
Directly supervise scientists, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates in the various facets of research studies.
Develop methods for spatial biology research in type 1 diabetes.
Monitor and operate specialized multi-omic imaging platform equipment.
Create and execute computational approaches for data analysis and visualization.
Oversee spatial transcriptomics operations and process and prepare human tissue samples for assays.
Manage sample-processing workflows for next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence image data.
Coordinate spatial transcriptomics, scRNA-seq, and high-parameter imaging services for UFDI and collaborating College of Medicine members.
Develop and oversee laboratory SOPs and ensure proper processing of cell and tissue samples for the UFDI multi-omics core.
Lead data management and data-analysis pipeline development for the UFDI multi-omics core.
Manage UF Hipergator resources and develop the UFDI codebook for multi-omics activities; share resources on GitHub or other applicable platforms.
Develop and write manuscripts; prepare and submit manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
Generate timely reports for the PI and UFDI leadership, including progress reports for NIH, FDOH, and other funding authorities.
Participate in grant writing for new funding opportunities.
Present research findings at institutional, governmental, and international scientific meetings.
Maintain accurate laboratory records.
Perform and supervise laboratory maintenance and upkeep in accordance with EH&S and other regulatory requirements for handling chemical and biohazardous materials.
Stay current with advances in histology, imaging, and image processing through journal articles, networking, seminars, and conferences.
Perform other duties assigned by the project manager and principal investigator.