Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate III

About the role

• Job Posting Title: Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate III
• 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 Nov 05, 2027
• Location: AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

Purpose

The Woznica Lab at The University of Texas at Austin (woznicalab.com), in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, is seeking a senior Research Associate to be a vital member of our research team.

Research in the Woznica lab seeks to understand mechanisms underlying host-microbe interactions and immune responses in choanoflagellates to (i) discover new mechanisms of immunity, and (ii) reconstruct the origin and evolution of innate immunity in animals.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and curiosity-driven researcher that has previous experience in microbiology and cell biology, has led multiple independent research projects, and is excited to support the growth of a interdisciplinary research team.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance of choanoflagellate cell lines and relevant bacterial strains
• Conducting experiments in choanoflagellates systems (including, but not limited to: cloning, transfection, genome editing, immunostaining, microscopy, flow cytometry, protein expression and purification)
• Optimizing experimental workflows
• Analyzing and communicating data from experiments
• Maintaining meticulous lab records
• Staying up-to-date with relevant literature
• Attending and presenting at lab meetings and conferences
• Drafting figures and manuscripts
• Lab managerial duties, including but not limit to: serving as a second EHS contact, helping keep track of inventory and requisitions, communicating with product reps

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or Microbiology, with at least 4 years of experience
• Experience with standard molecular biology and biochemistry techniques
• Experience with standard microbiology and cell biology techniques (including microbial and eukaryotic cell culturing, cell viability and reporter assays, immunostaining, microscopy)
• Experience working with choanoflagellates or protists
• Clear record keeping, organization, and communication skills
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with standard molecular biology and biochemistry techniques
• Extensive experience with choanoflagellate genetic techniques
• Experience drafting manuscripts and figures

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.