Research Associate - Petrucelli Lab

Overview

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The University of Miami/UHealth Office of the Dean has an exciting opportunity for a Full Time Research Associate 2 to work at the UHealth campus in Miami, Fl.

Core Job Summary 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.

• 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.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required

Experience: Minimum 2 Years Of Relevant Experience Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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.

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.

• 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…