Research Engineering/Scientist Associate II - Zebrafish Research & Aquatics Specialist

Job Posting Title

• 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 Oct 05, 2027
• Location: AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

Purpose

The Garner Lab in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at The University of Texas at Austin seeks a reliable and highly organized Zebrafish Research & Aquatics Specialist to support the operation of a research zebrafish facility. The successful candidate will take primary responsibility for routine zebrafish husbandry, colony organization, aquatics-system monitoring and maintenance, and support of zebrafish-based research.

Responsibilities

Zebrafish husbandry and aquatics facility operations

• Maintain the day-to-day health and operation of the laboratory zebrafish facility. Responsibilities include feeding, monitoring fish health and behavior, tank cleaning and sanitation, routine husbandry, water-quality monitoring, maintaining appropriate stocking densities, and performing regular checks of pumps, filtration, UV sterilization, temperature, conductivity, pH, and other aquatics systems. Identify and respond promptly to animal-health or facility problems and perform or coordinate routine troubleshooting and maintenance. Some scheduled weekend and holiday animal-care responsibilities will be required.

Zebrafish colony management and research support

• Maintain zebrafish lines and breeding records; set up crosses; collect embryos; assist with colony planning, genotyping, and organization of experimental animals. Maintain accurate records of fish lines, breeding, health, and experimental use. Work with the PI and other laboratory members to support zebrafish-based research and train new laboratory members in appropriate husbandry and fish-room procedures.

Facility organization, inventory, compliance, and supplies

• Maintain an organized and well-stocked aquatics facility, monitor inventory and order fish-room supplies before they are depleted, maintain equipment and maintenance records, and assist with development and implementation of standard operating procedures. Ensure work is performed in accordance with laboratory safety requirements, IACUC protocols, and institutional animal-care procedures.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field, or bachelor's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience. The successful candidate will be hired adepending on education, relevant experience, and demonstrated ability to independently manage zebrafish husbandry and aquatics-facility operations.

Demonstrated reliability, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate records and follow established procedures. Ability to work independently and recognize and respond to problems in a timely manner. Strong organizational and communication skills. Ability and willingness to perform routine aquatics-facility work, including feeding animals, cleaning tanks and equipment, handling water and aquatic-system components, and performing scheduled weekend and holiday animal care as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with vertebrate animals. Experience working with zebrafish is strongly preferred.

Experience with one or more of the following is particularly desirable: zebrafish husbandry and breeding; operation or maintenance of recirculating aquatic systems; water-quality monitoring; animal health monitoring; aquaculture or aquarium systems; facility maintenance and troubleshooting; zebrafish genotyping; laboratory inventory and ordering; or working under IACUC-approved animal protocols.

Mechanical aptitude and comfort troubleshooting pumps, filtration, plumbing, sensors, or other aquatics equipment are highly desirable.

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.