Research Associate 2 - Petrucelli Lab

University of Miami•Miami, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Associate 2, SOM contributes to the University’s research activities under the supervision of senior staff. Moreover, the incumbent understands, interprets, and complies with research policies and protocols. The Research Associate 2 will support a neuroscience laboratory investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. The role involves hands-on experimental work, data analysis, and contributions to laboratory operations to advance research related to proteinopathy, neuronal dysfunction, and therapeutic discovery.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience required
Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.
Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedicine, Neuroscience, Biological Sciences, or a related field required.
Relevant laboratory experience in molecular biology, neurobiology, cell culture, imaging, or rodent model research.
Experience contributing to experimental design, data interpretation, and troubleshooting of laboratory workflows.
Strong foundational knowledge of cellular and molecular neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, and proteinopathy-related biology.
Proficiency with laboratory methods such as Western blotting, immunostaining, microscopy, histology, PCR, and neuronal or mammalian cell culture.
Skilled in quantitative data analysis, imaging processing, and documentation using scientific software platforms.
Strong analytical reasoning, attention to detail, scientific curiosity, and ability to solve experimental challenges.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team while managing independent responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Additional graduate training in biomedical sciences or applied research areas preferred.
Prior involvement in neurodegeneration, cancer biology, or translational biomedical research is advantageous given the lab's scientific portfolio.

Responsibilities

Performs specialized and complex experiments/studies.
Participates in the publication of significant research results.
Advances expertise through education, training, and research.
Writes extramural grants/proposals to gain support when appropriate.
Collects, prepares, analyzes, dissects, and evaluates specimens and tissue cultures.
Weighs and anesthetizes laboratory animals for experiments.
Operates sensitive and highly complex laboratory equipment.
Performs calculations to complete research test results.
Performs photography and dark room processing.
Participates in training sessions and workshops.
Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
Conduct specialized experiments across molecular, cellular, and in vivo model systems, including immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, ELISA, PCR, and related biochemical techniques aligned with active research projects.
Support rodent model studies by assisting with colony maintenance, genotyping, behavioral assessments, brain tissue collection, and histological preparation.
Perform imaging workflows using confocal microscopy and whole‑slide imaging systems; execute quantitative image analysis to assess cellular, structural, or biomarker‑level changes.
Carry out cell culture experiments involving neuronal and mammalian cell lines, including routine culture maintenance, transfections, and treatment-based assays.
Participate in the development, troubleshooting, and optimization of experimental protocols to ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility.
Organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data using appropriate imaging, statistical, and visualization software.
Prepare figures, summaries, and documentation for internal reviews, presentations, and collaborative research reports.
Assist with contributions to manuscripts and research publications by providing high‑quality experimental data, methods descriptions, and preliminary analyses.
Maintain thorough and accurate laboratory notebooks, ensuring compliance with institutional and laboratory‑level research standards.
Assist with daily lab operations, including equipment monitoring, reagent preparation, inventory oversight, and general laboratory organization.
Follow biosafety, chemical safety, and animal welfare protocols required for laboratory compliance.
Collaborate with research team members on coordinated projects, providing technical support, scientific input, and cross‑functional assistance as needed.
Participate in lab meetings, training sessions, and skill‑building workshops to sustain continuous scientific development.