BME Stachowiak Lab - Senior Biochemistry Specialist and Lab Manager

Job Posting Title:

BME Stachowiak Lab - Senior Biochemistry Specialist and Lab Manager

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Hiring Department:

Biomedical Engineering

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2026

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Stachowiak Lab at UT Austin advances understanding of the biophysical mechanism responsible for cellular membrane traffic and cytoskeletal remodeling, while also developing novel biomaterials and biomolecular therapeutics.

Purpose

We are seeking a biochemistry specialist to replace a longtime employee who is retiring. The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for expression and purification of recombinant proteins, while also assisting the Principal Investigator and lab members with laboratory organization and documentation.

Responsibilities

The senior biochemistry specialist will work with a high degree of skill, precision, and independence as an essential member of a highly productive research team.  Job responsibilities will include:

•  Expression and purification of recombinant proteins including plasmid preparation, growth of cultures, induction of expression, optimization of induction conditions, evaluation of expression, cell lysis, protein extraction, assessment of protein purity and solubility, protein storage.

• Quantitative evaluation and documentation of protein purity using gel electrophoresis.

• Optimization of protein purification via modification of induction, expression, and purification protocols.

• Following established protocols to achieve high quality protein purification.

• Development of protocols for purification of novel proteins.

• Documentation of laboratory protocols.

• Training of laboratory personnel in protein expression and purification.

• Monitoring laboratory supplies and stocks.

• Assisting lab members with supply orders.

• Maintaining lab safety protocols and providing safety training to new lab members.

• Participation in scientific publications through protocol development and documentation.

Required Qualifications

•  A bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology, or a related field with 4 years of related work experience OR

• A master's degree in biochemistry, biology, or a related field with 2 years of related work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree in these fields is desired, though work experience is more important.

• Substantial experience with recombinant protein expression and purification is essential.

• Experience with fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) is desired.

• Experience with DNA cloning and plasmid design is desired.

• Experience with quantitative, gel-based analysis of protein purity is desired.

• Experience working with intrinsically disordered proteins is desired.

• Ability and drive to solve practical problems

• Strong organizational skills

• We are particularly interested in experienced candidates who have the desire to work long-term in this role. We are not interested in inexperienced candidates who wish to gain experience before applying to graduate school.

Salary Range

$65,000 - $85,000 depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Occasionally may require working with hazardous equipment or materials.

Work Shift

Work hours are somewhat flexible, depending on the needs of the lab and the employee. The most typical work schedule would be M-F, 9am-5pm.

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 up