Biological Scientist

University of South Florida•Tampa, FL

About The Position

A Biological Scientist performs a variety of laboratory and/or field analyses which require familiarity with standard scientific techniques and equipment in disciplines such as microbiology, physiology, pathology, ecology, natural resources or botany. Work requires practical and basic theoretical knowledge in order to modify analytical procedures and to interpret and describe test results. Nature of Work: This position typically reports to the principal investigator or a Scientific Researcher on a research project. A Biological Scientist conducts experimental protocols and modifies those protocols in order to meet research objectives. These protocols involve both practical and basic theoretical knowledge of the specific processes and specialized equipment involved in research within a particular discipline. A Biological Scientist prepares descriptions of laboratory or field techniques and collects, analyzes and describes data on research projects. Work at this level is distinguished from Research Lab Technicians by modifying and adapting standard procedures to meet the needs of the project and by preparing summaries of the research techniques and results. The work is distinguished from a Sr. Biological Scientist or higher level researcher in that it is does not regularly and customarily develop or determine the type of analysis to be performed nor prepare interpretive data for publication. The position may perform a minor amount of administrative duties such as monitoring budgets, and drafting administrative forms and reports, but such duties should not account for more than 20% of the work performed by positions in this class.

Requirements

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical or medical science.
Progressively responsible experience involving scientific laboratory or field work may be substituted for the required college education on a year for year basis.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed: (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree; (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree; (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
This position requires a Level I background check.

Responsibilities

Conducts and modifies laboratory research protocols in biological science disciplines such as microbiology, physiology, pathology, ecology, natural resources or botany.
Adapts protocols and procedures to perform laboratory analyses.
Uses instruments appropriate to the research that may require extensive training and both theoretical and practical knowledge to interpret results.
Performs surgery on animals for experimental purposes including pre-operative, intra- operative, and and post-operative procedures.
Performs and modifies laboratory tests on biological materials using methods such as mammalian tissue culture, radioisotope labeling, electrophoresis of protein and nucleotide samples, bacterial transformation and growth, sequencing and modification of nucleic acids.
Maintains logs and records of laboratory techniques, observations, findings, and results.
Maintains project data bases.
Performs analysis of data using statistical software.
Instructs undergraduate students in laboratory methods.
Performs literature searches for appropriate laboratory techniques.
Maintains laboratory equipment, arranges for repair as necessary, orders and inventories laboratory supplies.
May schedule the use of laboratory equipment by others.
Performs other duties as assigned.