Technical and Paraprofessional

Working Title : Research Technician -Temporary

 

Technician positions are available in the lab of Dr. Thomas McDonald at the USF Health Heart Institute. The selected candidate will work with lab members on projects investigating the molecular mechanisms of hereditary-genetic heart disease. Our lab employs patient- & mutation-specific induced pluripotent stem cell models of cardiac myocytes and associated cell-types. In particular, the lab studies functional characteristics of human heart cells and organoids derived from stem cells, and gene expression perturbations that may be amenable to novel drug therapy. Ongoing studies are focused on heart disease associated with pathogenic mutations in LMNA (laminopathies) and FXN (Friedreich’s Ataxia).

• Applicant will help design and perform bench-level experiments (molecular biology and cell/tissue culture).
• Will assist with management of the lab, including operation and maintenance of equipment and training lab members in use of equipment
• Will collect, organize, and analyze data for presentation and publication, and maintain 
• experimental records
• Will prepare reports, tables, and figures and accurately present compiled findings for use in manuscripts and grant applications
• Will participate in lab meetings, grant writing, and manuscript preparation
• Will assist with other research-related tasks as needed
• As a team member, will work with the lab supervisor towards advancing your own career goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and three years of laboratory or research experience. College coursework in a natural or physical science may be substituted for the required experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, or closely related field. 

Additional Information for Applicants:  This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a 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.

 

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