Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant - Fonken lab

Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant - Fonken lab

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Hiring Department:

College of Pharmacy

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

May 01, 2025

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until May 31, 2026

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

This position is for 12 months with the possibility of renewal. This position requires working flexible hours which may include weekends, evenings, or early mornings. It requires working with rodent models.

Must be in good physical condition and be able to lift a minimum of 30 pounds.

The position requires the employee to be able to spend time on their feet, standing, walking, or climbing on step-stools.

Purpose

The laboratory of Dr. Laura Fonken in the College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Texas at Austin is recruiting a highly motivated individual to work as a research technician in a behavioral neuroimmunology research laboratory. This position is intended for recent Bachelor of Science graduates who are interested in gaining research experience prior to applying to graduate programs.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with routine lab management

To ensure that lab is in working order. This includes assisting the lab manager with ordering and inventory of supplies and chemicals, disposing of chemicals, laboratory training, and maintaining a tidy/clean lab. The candidate is also expected to participate in regular group meetings and provide updates and progress reports on a weekly basis.

• Rodent care and behavior

Perform research experiments in the fields of neuroimmunology, aging, and circadian biology. This includes working with rodents (e.g., injections, behavioral testing, etc) and performing cellular and molecular techniques. Experiments will include isolating cell populations from the brain and performing flow cytometry or culturing cells. Experiments will involve performing qPCR, Western blots, or ELISAs to assay for gene/protein expression changes. Experiments will also include brain sectioning, immunohistochemistry, bright field or confocal microscopy, and analysis of images with FIJI or Imaris software.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences or related fields.

• Less than 1 year of laboratory experience.

• Proficiency with Excel and data management/analysis.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

• Experience with a minimum of two of the following: immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, rodent brain anatomy, rodent behavioral procedures, confocal microscopy, bright field microscopy, molecular biology.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong combination of the required qualifications outlined above.

• Proficiency with literature searches and science writing.

Salary Range

$35,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)

• May work in extreme temperatures

• May work around chemical fumes

• May work around standard office conditions

• May work around biohazards

• May work around chemicals

• May work around electrical and mechanical hazard

• Working with animals

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Use of manual dexterity

• Climbing of stairs

• Climbing of ladders

• Lifting and moving

Work Shift

This full-time position requires working flexible hours which may include weekends, evenings, or early mornings.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Letter of interest

• A list of 3 prof