Research Assistant I - Neurology (BRAINS Lab)

UTHealth; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

UTHealth is offering a full-time nonexempt position in the BRAINS lab, focusing on neurology research. The successful candidate will support various research activities, conduct laboratory experiments, and collaborate with senior staff. This position is ideal for motivated individuals with a Bachelor's degree, offering valuable training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience.
• Prior lab experience not required, preference for motivated individuals.

Responsibilities

• Conducts research activities under supervision according to protocol.
• Maintains laboratory equipment and orders supplies as directed.
• Collects and interprets research data.

Skills

Self-driven

Time management

Multi-tasking

Organized

General knowledge of biology

Willingness to work with rodents

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Full-time nonexempt position in Neurology (BRAINS lab)

Job responsibilities will include (some or all):

• Microscopy (fluorescence, confocal, brightfield)
• Assisting within vivoexperiments (mouse)
• Mouse behavioral testing
• Management of large mouse colony with multiple strains
• Genotyping (tail snipping, knowledge of primer design, PCR, gel electrophoresis)
• Cell culture (glial cells, endothelial cells, neurons)
• Molecular techniques (qRT-PCR, ELISA, Western blot analysis, FACS)
• Protocol optimization
• Review of relevant journal articles
• Data presentationat weekly lab meetings
• Data processing and analysis with MatLab or Python applications

Prior lab experience is not required for this position. Preference will be given to highly motivated individuals with good potential for specific training.

Necessary skills/characteristics:

• Self-driven and able to work independently
• Good Time management
• Able to work on many projects simultaneously (multi-tasking)
• Organized and able to easily retrieve data
• General knowledge of biology (neuroscience or vascular biology is a plus)
• Willingness to work with rodents

Position Summary:

Under close direction of senior research staff, conducts activities to support research projects.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Under close supervision, conducts research activities according to research protocol. Research activities may include some or all of the following: patient recruiting and screening, traditional laboratory experiments and activities, informatics, field interviewer recruiting, screening and training and/or animal laboratories.
2. May maintain clean laboratory equipment and/or work area to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
3. Collects, evaluates, and interprets research data to provide needed information to principal investigators and other researchers. Updates notebooks, records, and databases as needed.
4. Stays abreast of new and updated protocols for research department.
5. Orders laboratory and/or other supplies as directed by senior research staff.
6. As needed, may coordinate the work of laboratory technicians and assistants to ensure efficient, timely and high quality results.
7. Complies with all governmental and University policies, rules, regulations, and codes.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

General knowledge of research fields.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in lieu of education.

Minimum Experience:

No years of experience.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds constantly and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
This position may include work involving potentially hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive agents.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.