Visiting Research Student Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of South Florida, with a primary focus on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and related vascular conditions. Responsibilities include developing and evaluating research hypotheses, analyzing clinical and laboratory data, identifying disease biomarkers, supporting protocol development, and contributing to scholarly publications and presentations. The fellow will collaborate with faculty, trainees, and research staff, utilize laboratory and clinical resources, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, including IRB and IACUC protocols.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Position is in-office - Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

This position is Grant Funded.

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.  

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field of specialization.

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.

In discussion with supervisor(s), the research fellow will become familiar with the nature of PAD disease in the region, and work with collaborators to identify biological mechanisms that not only cause disease but also define severity. This can include identification of circulating or local biomarkers, and can include evaluation of genetic data using biologic samples obtained from patients. 

The research fellow will also define their own projects that can help move the needle in our understanding of the biology of PAD, its management, and its clinical outcomes. In-depth review of methods, including basic laboratory protocols, bioinformatics, and statistics, can and should accompany these goals and will be supported.  A robust understanding of the EMR will also be needed, and training will be supplied.  

The research fellow can and is encouraged to develop new research protocols to carry out established research objectives of the division as they pertain to PADrelated studies. The research fellow may be asked to participate in the performance of ongoing, high-impact research studies within the division, which are deemed beneficial to the research mission and may include participation in NIH and industry-sponsored studies.  

The research fellow will also interpret and share results through regular lab meetings and conferences - these will occur not only with other researchers within the division but also with colleagues in the department of surgery and the HVI.  They will review/summarize literature pertaining to research being conducted in the scientific area of interest, and prepare to test relevant and novel hypotheses or models. 

The fellow will have the opportunity to submit abstracts, present regionally, nationally, and internationally, depending on the trajectory of the project, as well as to write manuscripts and support other division members working on similar goals.   

Other duties as assigned