Research Enginerring/Scientist Assistant

About the role

• Job Posting Title: Research Enginerring/Scientist Assistant
• Hiring Department: Department of Marine Science
• Position Open To: All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled Hours: 20
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA
• Earliest Start Date: Oct 20, 2026
• Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Jul 31, 2027
• Location: AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

General Notes

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer now and in the future without sponsorship.

Purpose

The Min Lab at the Department of Marine Science at the University of Texas at Austin is seeking a talented and motivated individual to manage the trace gas analysis system, participate in the sea-going expedition, coordinate equipment shipping and logistics, and process the oceanographic data.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and operate the ultra-trace level dissolved gas analysis system in the lab and during sea fieldwork.
• Handle logistics of equipment shipments for sea expeditions and purchases.
• General lab management and data processing with the PI's supervision.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering or technical field

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering or technical field; training in instrumentation, electronics or marine science discipline preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret scientific literature and technical instrument manuals relevant to the field.
• Experience operating and maintaining analytical instruments; particularly gas chromatographs.
• Experience in sea-going scientific expeditions or conducting oceanographic observations at sea.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications; experience with Linux preferred.
• Experience processing, analyzing, and managing scientific data.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• A strong work ethic, a proactive attitude, and effective written and verbal communication skills..

Working Conditions

• In the lab – work in the lab with normal lab conditions; handle compressed gas and some hazardous materials such as ethanol.
• In the field (sea-going expedition) – physical agility needed; outdoor work possibly in inclement weather; 12-hr work shift for 7 days a week during the field operation out at sea (overtime pay)

Work Shift

• November 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 (may be extended)
• You will be working on the UT Austin main campus 20 hours per week for a period of 6 months (in lab) and then 40+ hours per week for 3 months (out at sea)

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.