The posting
Job Description
The position applies advanced scientific knowledge and independent judgment to laboratory coordination, protocol adaptation, experimental troubleshooting, quality assurance, and technical supervision. Management responsibilities directly support scientific research. The PI retains responsibility for overall research direction and final interpretation of findings. Scientific laboratory management includes coordinating research workflows, training personnel, maintaining specimen traceability, implementing standard operating procedures, and supporting safe and reproducible BSL-2 research. Formal budget administration, effort reporting, and human resources administration remain with the appropriate university personnel.
Responsibilities
- 35% - Scientific laboratory operations: Plan and coordinate daily research workflows in consultation with the PI and research team. Organize sample processing, experimental schedules, and shared resources across projects. Develop, evaluate, and refine SOPs; troubleshoot workflow problems; and implement practices that improve research efficiency, consistency, and reproducibility.
- 20% - Research quality and biosafety: Oversee implementation of experimental quality controls, contamination prevention procedures, and approved BSL-2 practices. Maintain scientific and safety documentation, coordinate required training and inspection preparation, and follow up on corrective actions under PI and institutional oversight.
- 20% - Equipment and research resources: Oversee instrument performance, preventive maintenance, calibration, and service coordination. Evaluate research supply needs, coordinate purchasing, and maintain reagent and specimen inventories. Manage biobank organization, sample traceability, freezer records, and storage monitoring to preserve specimen integrity.
- 15% - Training and technical supervision: Train and provide day-to-day technical guidance to students, volunteers, and research personnel. Assess proficiency in laboratory methods, reinforce SOPs and documentation standards, coordinate shared responsibilities, and monitor the quality of technical work.
- 10% - Experimental support and methods development: Perform, optimize, and troubleshoot DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, and sequencing preparation workflows as needed. Evaluate assay performance, document findings, and contribute technical methods and results to research reports and manuscripts.
Qualifications
Minimum Education & Experience This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a natural or medical science and 2 years of research experience; or a Master’s degree in a natural science. Progressively responsible experience involving scientific laboratory or field work may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S. • SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements • A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed: • (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; • (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree; • (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree; • (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or • (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree • Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment. • Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Preferred Qualifications - Laboratory-Specific • Experience in molecular biology, microbiology, parasitology, or a related biomedical research laboratory, including independent troubleshooting and optimization of experimental methods. • Demonstrated experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, quality control, and sequencing library preparation; experience with Oxford Nanopore/Illumina workflows is desirable. • Experience coordinating laboratory workflows, training students or staff, maintaining equipment and specimen inventories, and supporting biosafety inspections and research documentation. • Experience processing human, animal, or vector-derived research specimens and working under BSL-2 practices. Parasite culture or mammalian cell culture experience is desirable when applicable to approved projects. • A relevant master's degree or equivalent directly relevant research experience is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • Ability to independently execute, evaluate, adapt, and troubleshoot molecular research protocols using appropriate controls and contamination-prevention practices. • Knowledge of BSL-2 practices, specimen handling, chemical safety, waste management, and research quality assurance. • Ability to organize concurrent experiments, maintain accurate laboratory records and specimen traceability, and identify operational problems requiring escalation. • Proficiency with spreadsheets, electronic laboratory records, and inventory or specimen databases; ability to summarize and analyze experimental data. • Clear written and verbal communication, attention to detail, sound scientific judgment, and effective training and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team.
Working Conditions • Primarily on-site work in a BSL-2 molecular research laboratory at USF, with associated office and data-analysis activities. Work may involve human, animal, vector, and microbial specimens under approved protocols. • Use of appropriate personal protective equipment and completion of required institutional training. Duties include pipetting, handling small specimens, working at laboratory benches and biosafety cabinets, standing or sitting for extended periods, and lifting up to 20 pounds as needed, with reasonable accommodation. • Occasional travel to other USF campuses or research locations and occasional scheduling flexibility for time-sensitive experiments or specimen handling.
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
About Us
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
