Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant I

Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant I

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Hiring Department:

Dell Medical School

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Feb 28, 2031

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Sabharwal Lab (PI: Dr. Ankit Sabharwal) at the Department of Pediatrics at the Dell Medical School is looking for Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant I. This position will end effective one year from start date. Subsequent annual renewal of employment will be based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.

Purpose

The Sabharwal laboratory (MitoDynamics lab) at the Dell Pediatric Research Institute studies mitochondrial biology and rare mitochondrial diseases using zebrafish as a model organism. We are looking for a Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant I to conduct biological research under the supervision of the PI. Work will span molecular biology, genomics, and zebrafish genetics, with a focus on mitochondrial DNA biology and gene editing. The new member will also be expected to contribute to general laboratory administration and maintenance. The Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant I is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of experimental results, contributing to research publications, and assisting in the development of new research protocols. 
 

Responsibilities

• Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate with research team members, participate actively in lab meetings and discussions, and present research progress and findings. Opportunities to present at scientific conferences may be available.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Record experimental data accurately and assist in data analysis using relevant software tools and statistical methods. Work lab members and students to interpret and communicate findings effectively. Assist in interpretation and preparation of results for publications and presentations.
• Lab and Equipment Maintenance: Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment and instruments and assist with inventory management of laboratory supplies including ordering.
• Laboratory Experiments: Perform molecular, gene editing, and genomics techniques related to mitochondrial biology and metabolism, including tissue sample preparation, cell culture, molecular biology assays, and microscopy.
• Maintain zebrafish colonies in the aquatics facility and support genotyping and breeding operations. Maintain laboratory equipment, manage reagent inventory, and ensure compliance with safety and IACUC protocols.
• Attend weekly lab meetings and report on research progress. Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant support, and onboarding of new lab members as needed.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related scientific field. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior laboratory research experience in molecular biology
• Experience with bioinformatic tools for genomics data analysis
• Familiarity with zebrafish or another genetic model organism

Salary Range

$43,000 + depending on qualifications

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/EQUIPMENT

• Standard office equipment
• Repetitive use of a keyboard
• Work in aquatics facility required

• May work around biohazards
• May work around chemicals

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.