Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Fellow
Organization: MusB Research
Location: New Port Richey, FL (Tampa Bay area)
Position type: Full-time/ Part-Time/ Contractual · Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Fellow (level based on experience)
About MusB Research
MusB Research is a research group founded by two faculty members of the medical school of an eminent university in the area. Our work sits at the intersection of microbiology, microbiome, and host cell biology, and we combine wet-lab experimentation with computational analysis to answer translational research questions. Team members work on assigned, well-defined projects under close mentorship with fast-paced environment and have substantial room to grow into more independent and senior scientific roles over time.
Position Summary
We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Fellow with a strong foundation in microbiology culture and cell culture who is eager to expand into microbiome profiling, genomics, real-time PCR (qPCR/RT-qPCR), and bioinformatics. The ideal candidate can start immediately with microbiology and mammalian cell culture work and progressively build out complementary skills as project evolve. This is a training-forward role designed for someone who wants to develop into a well-rounded, cross-disciplinary researcher.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform routine and specialized microbiology culture work, including isolation, maintenance, and characterization of bacterial cultures under aseptic conditions in regulated environment and SOPs.
- Maintain and manipulate mammalian cell cultures, including passaging, treatments, and assay setup.
- Design and run real-time PCR experiments (qPCR / RT-qPCR), including primer/probe planning, nucleic acid extraction, and data interpretation.
- Contribute to microbiome studies, including sample processing, library preparation, and downstream analysis.
- Apply and grow bioinformatics skills to analyze microbial sequencing and experimental datasets.
- Keep accurate, well-organized records and maintain reproducible protocols and documentation.
- Contribute to the preparation of research articles and grant applications.
- Collaborate closely with the founding faculty and team members on assigned projects and shared lab operations.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD (or equivalent) in microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field. Postdoctoral candidates should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with microbiology culture techniques and aseptic practice.
- Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture.
- Strong attention to detail, good record-keeping habits, and the ability to follow and refine protocols.
- Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while collaborating effectively within a small team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with real-time PCR (qPCR / RT-qPCR) and nucleic acid extraction.
- Experience with microbiome studies (16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, or related workflows).
- Bioinformatics skills, including familiarity with command-line tools, R, and/or Python for analyzing sequencing or experimental data.
- Prior contributions to scientific manuscripts and/or grant proposals.
- Willingness to learn: candidates strong in some areas and developing in others are encouraged to apply, provided they can begin with the microbiology and cell culture foundation.
What We Offer
- Assigned, clearly scoped research projects with direct mentorship.
- High-quality, hands-on training across microbiology, cell culture, microbiome, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
- Meaningful career growth opportunities and a path toward greater scientific independence.
- Opportunities to co-author research articles and participate in grant writing.
- Visa sponsorship may be considered on a case-by-case basis for exceptional candidates.
How to Apply
Please submit the following on [email protected]:
- A cover letter describing your research background, technical skills, and career goals.
- A current CV, including a list of techniques and any publications.
- Contact information for two or three professional references.
MusB Research is committed to building a collaborative and inclusive research environment. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Pay: $40,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Free parking
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Education:
Experience:
- Research: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- New Port Richey, FL 34653 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- New Port Richey, FL 34653: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
