Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate II

About the role

• Job Posting Title: Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate II
• Hiring Department: Molecular Biosciences
• Position Open To: All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
• FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA
• Earliest Start Date: Immediately
• Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until May 26, 2027
• Location: AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

Purpose

The position involves plant propagation, tissue Culture, transformation and genome editing expert.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a propagation, regeneration, maintenance, and transformation and genome-editing pipelines for our model amphibious plant Rorippa aquatica (and related species), maintain growth rooms/chambers. Perform histology and microscopy to examine the phenotypes of the transgenic/genome edited plants.
• Perform molecular biology experiments to design, construct, and analyze vectors and plasmids for transformation. Perform genotyping, genome sequencing as required. Maintain and organize laboratory stocks of DNA, E.coli, yeast, and plant seeds under the supervision.
• Assist fundamental, basic tasks for the operation of molecular biology research. Duties include washing and sterilizing laboratory glassware and, making chemical solutions and cell/bacterial culture media, organize chemical inventories, purchase and stock chemical and consumable inventories. Assist Purchase Order and other lab management tasks, including maintenance of equipment related to the research.
• Read and record instrument data; tabulate data; Analyze data; keep laboratory records and Lab Notebooks with high ethical standard. Organize and manage data as required by the guidelines. Perform basic bioinformatics pipelines as required for the research project.
• Write reports, meet regularly with the PI and team members to communicate research updates; participate and present at the lab meetings and other professional scientific conferences, assist grant applications as well as manuscript submission.
• Mentor and train junior researchers (e.g. undergraduates and starting technicians) with basic lab competency tasks as well as plant tissue culture, transformation, and regeneration.

Required Qualifications

Masters of Science degree in a relevant field, with demonstrated hands-on experience in plant tissue culture, plant transformation and/or genome editing, maintenance and husbandry of large number of plant strains and transgenic lines. A Bachelor of Science degree may be considered for candidates who can demonstrate 2-4 years of directly related research experience in these areas.

Proven ability to work in a research environment, including maintaining detailed records, managing multiple duties simultaneously, and following established protocols with precision. Strong organizational skills and the ability to remain focused, motivated, and responsible while working both independently and as part of a team.

Excellent communication skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with lab members and provide regular, clear updates to the Principal Investigator.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include proficiency in molecular biology techniques such as vector and plasmid construction, along with experience in microscopy and histology and relevant biochemical methods. A strong scientific foundation in plant genetic engineering is also preferred.

Candidates should demonstrate an ability to apply underlying scientific principles to their work, maintain accurate documentation, and prepare routine reports. The ideal candidate actively seeks opportunities to expand their skills, can learn complex tasks with general instruction, and uses prior experience to adapt to new techniques effectively.

Working Conditions

• Personal protection equipment (furnished)
• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• 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

Additional information

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.