Research Assistant Professor

PhD in Biosciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related field

The Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine invite applications for a non-tenure-track position at the rank Research Assistant Professor.

Our faculty includes some of the brightest and most innovative scholars spanning the virology and genetics disciplines. The Department continues a major expansion of the faculty as part of a 5-year strategic plan. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting https://mgm.ufl.edu/ and https://epi.ufl.edu/. We are seeking an outstanding and creative investigator.

Collaborate closely with laboratory personnel to design and implement experiments that characterize biological traits and integrate results with bioinformatics analyses.

Design and develop bioinformatics pipelines that leverage short- and long-read sequencing technologies to deliver high-quality genome assemblies for collaborators’ evolutionary and ecology projects conducted in the Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) space that manages the Hugh-Jones collection.

Maintain comprehensive records, including laboratory entry logs, digital research notebooks, working stock inventories (refrigerators/incubators), and long-term Select Agent records (using FreezerPro).

Required expertise: State-of-the-art expertise in long-read sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatics pipelines, including proficiency with GPU-enabled Oxford Nanopore software. Demonstrated success generating genome assemblies from Illumina short-read platforms (e.g., NextSeq and/or NovaSeq). Critical to the role is proven expertise in recovering bacteria from environmental samples, including species identification and characterization, and the ability to link environmental conditions to bacterial presence and pathogen emergence.

In addition to working with archival strains and low-passage strains recovered from environmental samples, this position will interact with UF Health Shands Hospital, the neighboring VA hospital, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Leveraging expertise in bacterial characterization and genomics, this role will provide diagnostic expertise and assess the emergence or re-emergence potential of zoonotic pathogens encountered. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience working in or with hospital or clinical laboratories as part of prior research.

Annual salary range is $78,000 - $115,000 and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

PhD in Biosciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related field

Enter any preferred qualification here. These are additional traits or criteria that may make a candidate more competitive or ideal for the role, but these traits or criteria are not required for consideration.

A bacteriologist with extensive experience using current bioinformatics approaches to characterize bacterial genomes, with an emphasis on linking genomic traits to spatial and ecological patterns of pathogen persistence, emergence, and outbreak intensity.

All applicants MUST apply online through Careers at UF.

Applications received by May 7, 2026 will receive full consideration. Pre-/post-submission inquiries should be directed to Dr. Stephanie Karst (skarst@ufl.edu) or Dr. David Bloom (dbloom@ufl.edu). If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

In order to be considered, you must upload references, cover letter, CV, Research Statement, Teaching Statement, and contact information for three references.

A Criminal Background check is required, and this is not a remote work position. It is located on the University of Florida main campus in Gainesville, FL.

If selected as one of the final candidates, three letters of recommendation must be provided.

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) http://naces.org/.

We Offer Exceptional Benefits:
• Low-cost State Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Generous Retirement Options to secure your future
• Comprehensive Paid Time Off Packages: (includes over 10 paid holidays, as well as paid family, sick and vacation leave)
• Exceptional Personal and Professional Development Opportunities: Access to UF Training & Organizational Development programs, leadership development, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer

To learn more about Gainesville and the surrounding areas, please visit the Guide to Greater Gainesville, which shares information about our neighborhoods, schools, zoning, culture, leisure, and more at https://guidetogreatergainesville.com/.

Gainesville is a vibrant city with a low cost of living, diverse population, excellent public schools, Division I NCAA sports, and no state income tax. The area is known for its nature parks, bike trails, sporting events, museums, mild winters, and warm summers. Being centrally located, Gainesville is easily situated for a day trip to beautiful beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as to theme parks like Disney World. Other nearby cities include Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at https://www.visitgainesville.com/.

To learn more about the University of Florida (UF), please visit https://www.ufl.edu/.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (EDT) of the posting end date.