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
• Location: AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

General Notes

The Department of Molecular Biosciences leads in research and education spanning molecular, microbial, cellular, developmental, chemical, plant, structural and systems biology. Exploring the molecular foundations of biology and disease, our faculty include world experts in cell and developmental biology, systems and synthetic biology and structural biology. Our faculty and their teams not only make discoveries that change the world, but they also leverage these discoveries into state-of-the art courses and training experiences for undergraduate and graduate students as part of our core educational mission.

Purpose

To support the Department of Molecular Biosciences research infrastructure by strategically assisting with shared equipment, spaces, and resources.

Responsibilities

• In close partnership with MBS Chair, Director and Chair of MBS Infrastructure Committee, oversee and strategically advise on MBS shared research equipment, including maintenance, service agreements, troubleshooting, and repair-versus-replacement recommendations.
• Conduct routine inspections and maintenance of shared equipment, including freezers and MilliQ systems, and maintain current service contracts, vendor contacts, and equipment records.
• Serve as a liaison with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) regarding chemical disposal, equipment decontamination, and laboratory safety requirements.
• Oversee the care, stocking, maintenance, and general functionality of shared MBS research spaces, including cold rooms, dark rooms, film processors, and autoclaves.
• Manage user training, equipment usage logs, and compliance requirements for shared equipment and spaces.
• Coordinate with CNS Facilities, EHS, and other university partners on laboratory closeouts, moves, renovations, surplus activities, and related infrastructure projects.
• Serve as a liaison with CBRS and other UT departments to support MBS research equipment and space needs.
• Coordinate with CNS IT on shared IT equipment, troubleshooting, and surplus electronic equipment.
• Collaborate with the MBS Administrative team to maintain accurate space assignments, maps, inventory records, and related departmental information.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, life science or related field and two years of laboratory experience.
• Previous employment in a research lab with familiarity in using and maintaining lab equipment.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than the required experience in a research lab.
• Additional experience maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Experience in project management.
• Knowledge of University of Texas inventory systems and processes.

Working Conditions

• May work around chemicals and chemical fumes.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around biohazards.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Climbing of stairs.
• Climbing of ladders.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 pounds.

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.