Sr. Biological Scientist

University of South Florida•Tampa, FL

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Molecular Biosciences is seeking a highly motivated Senior Biological Scientist to conduct high-impact research in molecular biology and environmental toxicology. The successful candidate will have strong expertise in molecular biology, oxidative stress, and DNA damage response, with a particular emphasis on measuring DNA damage induced by diverse environmental toxicants and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. This position will focus on investigating mechanisms of toxicant-induced and oxidative stress–mediated DNA damage and genome instability in biological systems, as well as advancing high-throughput and translational comet assay–based platforms for genotoxicity and toxicological assessment. The candidate will play a central role in the development, optimization, validation, and implementation of novel comet assay technologies, including instrumentation development, assay standardization, quality control, and comparative performance evaluation against conventional comet assay systems. A successful candidate is expected to work independently and actively engage in all research and scholarly activities of the laboratory, including experimental design and execution, data analysis and interpretation, identification of DNA damage mechanisms associated with environmental exposures, and development of new research directions. The role involves close collaboration with engineers and interdisciplinary teams to integrate biological assays with hardware and software components. Additional responsibilities include mentoring students and trainees, preparing manuscripts, contributing to grant and patent applications, and presenting research findings at scientific conferences.

Requirements

Strong expertise in molecular biology, oxidative stress, and DNA damage response.
Demonstrated expertise in measuring DNA damage endpoints resulting from environmental and chemical exposures.
Experience working with human-derived samples.
Excellent organizational skills.
Attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams to meet project milestones and funding timelines.

Nice To Haves

Strong background in molecular biology and environmental toxicology.

Responsibilities

Conduct high-impact research in molecular biology and environmental toxicology.
Measure DNA damage induced by diverse environmental toxicants and elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms.
Investigate mechanisms of toxicant-induced and oxidative stress–mediated DNA damage and genome instability in biological systems.
Advance high-throughput and translational comet assay–based platforms for genotoxicity and toxicological assessment.
Develop, optimize, validate, and implement novel comet assay technologies, including instrumentation development, assay standardization, quality control, and comparative performance evaluation against conventional comet assay systems.
Work independently and actively engage in all research and scholarly activities of the laboratory.
Design and execute experiments.
Analyze and interpret data.
Identify DNA damage mechanisms associated with environmental exposures.
Develop new research directions.
Collaborate with engineers and interdisciplinary teams to integrate biological assays with hardware and software components.
Mentor students and trainees.
Prepare manuscripts.
Contribute to grant and patent applications.
Present research findings at scientific conferences.