Research Engineering/Scientist Associate I

Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate I

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Hiring Department:

Department of Integrative Biology

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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:

Feb 01, 2025

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jan 31, 2026

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

Initial assignment is for one year from initial hire date, renewable for additional one-year periods. This position will include a full-time benefits package (https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits).

Security sensitive; criminal background check conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon clearing background check requirement.

Review of applications will start February 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is March 2025, but negotiable. Inquiries about the position can be directed to Kelly Zamudio (kelly.zamudio@austin.utexas.edu).

Purpose

The Zamudio Lab (zamudiolab.org) in the Department of Integrative Biology at UT Austin seeks a highly motivated and detail-oriented laboratory technician to play a key role in supporting the research operations of our lab. Our research focuses on understanding evolutionary processes driving phenotypic and genetic diversity in vertebrate systems, with a focus on reptiles and amphibians. The lab uses comparative and population genomics to investigate the genomic architecture of local adaptation, immune resistance to wildlife diseases, and other phenotypes. We also have projects studying sexual selection and mating systems, and conservation genomics of endangered species.

This position offers a unique opportunity to be involved in many research projects in the lab, contributing to cutting-edge research program that integrates ecological, evolutionary, and molecular approaches.

This position will involve standard molecular biology techniques, culture techniques, experiments with animals in the lab and field, and general lab management. The work will also include data analysis, and there will be opportunities for publishing research.

Responsibilities

• Establish/maintain operational protocols to ensure the lab is fully functional and equipped to conduct high-quality research. Place orders for equipment and consumables; reorder common-use consumables when they are running low; keep track of equipment maintenance schedules and arrange maintenance in timely fashion; organize repair/replacement of malfunctioning equipment; arrange proper waste disposal and pickup; defrost freezers as necessary; keep a catalog of orders; keep a catalog of items in freezers; ensure lab's compliance with biosafety and fire codes

• Use advanced molecular techniques to preserve and analyze samples, including RNA and DNA extraction to assess and compare gene regulation and sequences, library preps, and basic bioinformatic analyses. Collection of molecular lab data for lab projects. Prepare libraries for next-generation sequencing. Manage data submission, retrieval, storage. Train and supervise undergraduate assistants tasked with nucleic acids isolation; provide lab safety training for new lab members. Train and assist graduate students and post-docs with data protocols and collections.

• Assist in data analysis for research publication and related assignments

• Assist with animal room maintenance and experimentation

Required Qualifications

The applicant should have a B.S. degree in a related field. Experience in general molecular biology lab techniques (e.g., RNA/DNA work) and basic computer literacy are required. Related education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

One year of experience working in a DNA/RNA lab. Experience with preparing libraries for next-generation sequencing for any of these methods: WGS, RAD (any flavor), RNA-seq, Tag-seq, Quantseq, MBD-seq, ME-dip, CHIP-seq, Nanopore. Demonstrated ability to carry out research, troubleshoot new protocols. Good communication skills for interaction with lab members and documentation functions. Familiarity with Excel and Google sheets.

Salary Range

$38,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or person