Research Associate 2

University of Miami•Miami, FL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Research Associate 2 to join a dynamic, multidisciplinary team conducting translational laboratory and population health research. The incumbent will support the Diversity and Innovation in Screening and Prevention of Exposure over the Long-term (DISPEL) to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) prospective cohort study, which investigates occupational and environmental exposures to cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and their potential short- and long-term effects on human health and the firefighter studies collecting biological and environmental samples. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, community-engaged research integrating participant recruitment, biospecimen and environmental sample collection, laboratory sampling processing and coordination, and longitudinal health assessment to advance the understanding and prevention of HAB-related health risks.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health, epidemiology, biological sciences, health sciences, or a related field.
Minimum two years of lab and population-based relevant research experience.
Required University human-subjects protections, HIPAA, laboratory biosafety, and study-specific training must be completed and maintained.
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.
Skill in collecting, labeling, processing, documenting, and transporting biological specimens and environmental samples with accuracy and attention to chain of custody.
Proficiency with REDCap, Microsoft Office applications, electronic databases, data-quality review, and secure research-data management.
Knowledge of human-subjects research requirements, informed consent, participant confidentiality, HIPAA, biosafety, and protocol compliance.
Skill in recruiting and retaining research participants and communicating respectfully with individuals from diverse communities.
Ability to organize multiple concurrent activities, maintain accurate records, meet deadlines, and work independently while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to communicate clearly in writing, by telephone, electronically, and in person with participants, community partners, and research personnel.
Ability and willingness to travel to study sites within Florida, work occasional early morning, evening, or weekend hours, and perform research activities in outdoor and community settings.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, recognize and resolve problems, protect confidential information, and escalate participant-safety or protocol concerns promptly.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Experience with environmental, occupational, or longitudinal cohort research preferred.
Experience with biospecimen collection, environmental sampling, or pulmonary function testing, participant recruitment, REDCap software, is highly desirable.
Phlebotomy certification preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency is preferred.

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.
Supports the Diversity and Innovation in Screening and Prevention of Exposure over the Long-term (DISPEL) to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) prospective cohort study, which evaluates environmental and occupational exposures and potential short- and long-term health effects among Florida residents, workers, and visitors.
Support the Firefighter Cancer Initiative with environmental and biological sampling processing.
Collects, labels, processes, packages, stores, and ships biological specimens and environmental samples, including microbiome and water samples, according to study protocols, biosafety requirements, and chain-of-custody procedures.
Conducts or assists with pulmonary function testing and other standardized participant measurements; prepares, calibrates, cleans, and maintains study equipment and associated logs.
Coordinates field visits at community and outdoor locations throughout Florida, including preparation of sampling kits, transport of supplies, maintenance of inventories, and return of samples to designated laboratories.
Performs routine quality-control reviews of study data, consent documentation, participant tracking records, and specimen inventories; identifies and resolves discrepancies with the study team.
Recruits, screens, consents, enrolls, and retains research participants in accordance with Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocols and study procedures.
Schedules and coordinates baseline and longitudinal study visits, follow-up contacts, participant reminders, field activities, and community-based recruitment events.
Administers study questionnaires and standardized exposure and health assessments and accurately records study data in REDCap and other approved systems.
Maintains regulatory and study documentation, including current consent materials, protocol files, training records, deviations, and confidentiality safeguards, in compliance with University, HIPAA, and sponsor requirements.
Communicates professionally and responsively with participants, community partners, investigators, laboratories, and collaborating institutions to support timely completion of study activities.
Assists with the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, recruitment materials, training resources, progress reports, presentations, abstracts, manuscripts, and grant-related materials.
Trains and provides day-to-day guidance to students and research personnel on approved study procedures and performs other duties consistent with the needs of the DISPEL to HABs cohort study.