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UM POSITION TITLE:  

Job Family:           Research

Job Function:        Laboratory and pre-clinical Research

Job Title:               Research Assistant Professor

(2) REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: 

a) This position reports directly to: Dr. Camillo Ricordi (Department Head or Director)

            b) This position directly supervises:

                        Admin./Prof. employees 2; Faculty  0; Research & Clinical

                        Fellows/Research Associates 1; Non-exempt Employees 0;

                        Student Employees 4, including PhD students and Master Students

            c) This position works closely with: other research professors, scientists, research associates/technicians, graduate and postdoctoral fellows at the DRI.

(3) INCUMBENT:     Velluto, Diana

(4) LOCATION:  Diabetes Research Institute, 1450 NW 10 Ave., Room 2011, Miami,

         FL, 33136.

MISSION STATEMENT:  The Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) is an international

center whose mission is to bring together leading scientists worldwide to develop and rapidly apply promising research to treat and cure diabetes. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Outstanding candidate interested in nanomedicine applications for type-1 diabetes. Specifically, the candidate will focus on the development of biocompatible nanomaterial-based drug and gene delivery systems with highly translational potential that can be applied for localized and sustained immunomodulation in pancreatic islet transplantation and for induction of immunological tolerance. Such a nanotechnology platform for type-1 diabetes treatment will require in vitro and in vivo (in rodent models of type-1 diabetes) evaluation methodologies. The ideal applicant should have an interdisciplinary background with significant expertise in organic chemistry and polymer chemistry, biomaterials, nanotechnology and drug delivery, pharmacology, cell biology, immunology and experience with rodent models of human disease. The applicant should have ability in organizing and maintaining a space dedicated to chemical synthesis, while also in performing biological assays (including but not only on pancreatic islets) and survival surgeries such as cell and tissue transplants. Experience in tissue engineering and cell therapies will be a plus.

RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent in this position will:

Work closely with the institutional director on the development and testing nanomaterials for controlled and localized delivery of immunomodulatory agents in pancreatic islet transplantation and for induction of immunological tolerance. Set a up, organize and be responsible for a dedicated laboratory space for chemical synthesis, characterization and applications (in vitro and in vivo) of bio- and nanomaterials. Collaborate with the Department of Chemistry on the UM Gables Campus. Plan experiments (independently and in collaboration with the director and other personnel involved); keep meticulous documentation and summarization of the results (including digital/photographic documentation and computerized data entering); prepare periodic written reports and presentations.  Supervise and/or conduct lab research in the field of organic chemistry, biomaterial and nanomaterial design, synthesis and characterization (HPLC, NMR, Mass-Spec), drug delivery, gene delivery, cell and molecular biology, and immunology both in vitro in and in vivo in rodent models. Also, contribute to the field of cell therapies and tissue engineering by designing and developing biocompatible hydrogels and scaffolds. Review and complete all forms, including lab and supplies order inventory and training for animal experimentation and laboratory work. Be responsible for maintenance of culture of primary cells and cell lines. Prepare and submit animal protocols to the IACUC and IBC protocols. Be responsible for maintenance of supervising personnel from the small animal core and of follow-up of mice utilized for an experimental procedure. Supervise lab personnel or performing other academic duties. Prepare of grant proposals and of progress reports to the funding agencies. Prepare and revision of peer-reviewed manuscripts. Participate in leadership and staff meetings or performing other academic duties. Manage external collaborations. Supervise staff and graduate students, including proposal and dissertation reviews and annual performance reviews. Supervise the lab manager and technician in the maintenance and organization of lab equipment and supplies, including updating lab inventories and ordering supplies. Supervise and maintain updated records of all in vitro and in vivo research work and writing regular reports in Word and data presentation in PowerPoint. Analyze data through Excel, Prism and FlowJo, including statistical analysis Analyze images with Leica and Zeiss Software Design and synthesize bio- and nanomaterial platforms Characterize the nanomaterials with dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy Evaluate biocompatibility and toxicity of nanomaterials Evaluate pharmacokinetic profile of drug loaded nanomaterials Immunostaining of tissue slides and cells through established and non-establish protocols and acquiring publication-quality images with phase contrast and confocal microscopy Perform viability, oxygen consumption, and insulin secretion assays Perform survival surgeries in rodents and adoptive transfers of leukocytes Perform academic enrichment through participation to research meetings and reading of research journals Summarize data for Annual and Progress reports Other duties as required.

 (8) POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal applicant should have

• Significant expertise in design, synthesis and characterization of biocompatible block-copolymers for nanomaterials and hydrogels self-assembling preparation, organic and analytical chemistry, drug loading and release, cell biology, immunology, and experience with rodent models of human disease. Experience in pancreatic islet transplantation would be desirable and experience in cell therapies and tissue engineering will be a plus.
• Ph.D. in chemistry with 10-15 years of previous post-doctoral and independent experience in multidisciplinary laboratories and a strong publication record
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English), leadership skills and experience in supervising technical staff and graduate students, good interpersonal and organizational skills and collaborative attitude, orderly laboratory habits and manual dexterity, attention to detail and accuracy, and willingness to work with murine specimens (blood, tissues, cell-lines). Previous teaching experience would be a plus.

Current Employees:

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