Postdoctoral Associate - Surgery

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CORE JOB SUMMARY

The Postdoctoral Associate performs scientific research and studies under the supervision of managing staff. Moreover, the Post Doctoral Associate promotes institutional recognition through literal contributions to the scientific community.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Conducts research on specific areas of study as assigned.

2. Prepares research reports and technical papers for publishing.

3. Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories.

4. Maintains substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.

5. Develops advanced analytical models and systems and provides solutions and analyses to support strategic and tactical decisions.

6. 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.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Doctorate degree in relevant field required

Experience:

No previous experience required

Certification and Licensing:

Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements

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.

DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM

Department Specific Functions

• Lead and coordinate research studies investigating engineered probiotic therapies (EcN-GAD and EcN-BUT) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
• Design, conduct, and troubleshoot in vivo studies using murine models of paclitaxel- and oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.
• Perform behavioral pain assessments, including von Frey, Randall-Selitto, thermal nociception, and other validated pain assays.
• Culture, characterize, and validate engineered E. coli Nissle strains and assess metabolite production and stability.
• Conduct molecular, cellular, and microbiome analyses including RNA isolation, qPCR, RNA sequencing, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and cytokine profiling.
• Coordinate metabolomic studies including sample preparation and collaboration with the metabolomics core for LC-MS/MS analysis of GABA, butyrate, and related metabolites.
• Analyze microbiome sequencing data and integrate multi-omics datasets (microbiome, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and behavioral outcomes).
• Mentor graduate students, technicians, and undergraduate trainees in experimental techniques and data analysis.
• Prepare manuscripts, conference presentations, progress reports, and grant applications.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and contribute to the development of new research initiatives related to the gut-brain axis, microbiome therapeutics, cancer survivorship, pain, and neuroimmune interactions.
• Ensure compliance with IACUC, biosafety, and institutional research regulations.

Department Specific Qualifications

Education:

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.

Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.

Experience with experimental design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of complex biological data.

Strong written and oral communication skills.

Experience:

• Experience with rodent models of pain, neuroinflammation, cancer, or gastrointestinal disease.
• Experience with microbiome research, bacterial culture, microbial engineering, or host-microbiome interactions.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques including qPCR, RNA-seq, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry.
• Experience with microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses.
• Familiarity with metabolomics approaches, including LC-MS/MS.
• Experience working with large biological datasets and statistical software (R, Prism, Python, or equivalent).
• Prior experience in gut-brain axis research, neuroimmune signaling, chronic pain, opioid biology, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or live biotherapeutic development.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong publication record and potential for obtaining independent research funding.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

Postdoctoral Fellow - Gut-Brain Axis and Microbiome Therapeutics

The Roy Laboratory at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate novel microbiome-engineered therapies for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The successful candidate will lead studies integrating microbiome science, pain neurobiology, metabolomics, and neuroimmune signaling using cutting-edge molecular and translational approaches. This position offers outstanding opportunities for scientific leadership, publication, mentorship, and career development within a highly funded and collaborative research environment.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff