Environmental Science Trainee Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Molecular Biosciences is home to approximately 24 full-time faculty, over 70 graduate students, and offers courses to approximately 1,200 undergraduate students. The department pursues excellence in the following programmatic research areas: Genome Integrity, Bacterial Pathogenesis, Molecular Biophysics and Systems Biology, Biomedical Sciences and STEM Ed. We offer two Bachelor of Science degree programs, two Non-Thesis Master of Science programs, two Thesis Master of Science programs and two doctoral programs.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Biological Scientist to conduct high-impact research in molecular biology and environmental toxicology. The successful candidate will have strong expertise in molecular biology, oxidative stress, and DNA damage response, with a particular emphasis on measuring DNA damage induced by diverse environmental toxicants and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms. This position will focus on investigating mechanisms of toxicant-induced and oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage and genome instability in biological systems, as well as advancing high-throughput and translational comet assay-based platforms for genotoxicity and toxicological assessment. The candidate will play a central role in the development, optimization, validation, and implementation of novel comet assay technologies, including instrumentation development, assay standardization, quality control, and comparative performance evaluation against conventional comet assay systems. 

A successful candidate is expected to work independently and actively engage in all research and scholarly activities of the laboratory, including experimental design and execution, data analysis and interpretation, identification of DNA damage mechanisms associated with environmental exposures, and development of new research directions. The role involves close collaboration with engineers and interdisciplinary teams to integrate biological assays with hardware and software components. Additional responsibilities include mentoring students and trainees, preparing manuscripts, contributing to grant and patent applications, and presenting research findings at scientific conferences. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in molecular biology and environmental toxicology, experience working with human-derived samples, and demonstrated expertise in measuring DNA damage endpoints resulting from environmental and chemical exposures. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams to meet project milestones and funding timelines are essential.

This is a time-limited position. Anticipated end date is August 6, 2030.

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.  

MINIMUM:

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.

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.

PREFERRED:

PhD in Molecular Biosciences or related discipline and 3 years of research experience.

Study of genotoxicity with emphasis on molecular biology, DNA damage, and oxidative stress assessment.

Proficiency in assay development, validation, and high-throughput genotoxicity testing, with strong analytical, organizational, and collaborative skills.

35% Research Design and Experimental Execution: Independently plans, designs, and performs research using genotoxicity testing and molecular biology-based experiments to investigate DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by environmental and chemical toxicants. Duties include experimental design, biological sample preparation and handling, execution and optimization of genotoxicity assays, and application of molecular biology techniques to assess genome instability in support of funded research objectives.

25% Assay Development, Validation, and Instrumentation Integration: Develops, optimizes, and validates novel and high-throughput genotoxicity testing platforms. Responsibilities include protocol development, assay standardization, quality control, troubleshooting technical issues, and comparative performance evaluation against established genotoxicity assessment methods. Collaborates with engineers and multidisciplinary teams to integrate genotoxicity testing workflows with instrumentation and software components to enhance performance, scalability, and translational relevance.

15% Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Scientific Documentation: Performs critical evaluation, statistical analysis, and interpretation of data generated from genotoxicity testing and molecular biology-based experiments. Prepares figures and reports, maintains accurate experimental records, and evaluates relevant scientific literature to guide data interpretation and ongoing research directions. Writes first draft of manuscripts.

15% Laboratory Management and Compliance: Manages daily laboratory operations to ensure efficient, safe, and compliant research activities. Duties include laboratory organization, equipment maintenance, inventory and reagent management, ordering supplies, training personnel in comet assay and molecular biology techniques, and ensuring compliance with institutional, safety, and regulatory requirements.

10% Mentors and trains graduate and undergraduate students in genotoxicity testing and molecular biology-based experimental techniques, data analysis, and responsible research practices. Contributes to manuscript preparation, grant and patent applications, presents research findings at scientific meetings, and performs other related duties as assigned to support laboratory and research objectives