Research Assistant I - Neurosurgery (Tandon Lab)

UTHealth Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid medical premiums

Generous time off

Longevity Pay

Retirement/pension plan

Financial and legal counseling

Mental health counseling

Gym membership discounts

Employee discounts

Child and elder care resources

Job summary

UTHealth Houston's Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology lab seeks a Research Assistant I to support basic and translational research under supervision. The role involves handling biological samples, coordinating experiments, and data collection in a hospital research setting with epilepsy patients and intracranial monitoring.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree and basic MATLAB knowledge, plus strong interpersonal skills to coordinate among lab members, staff, and collaborators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; may substitute years of experience for education.
• Comfortable in hospital setting and with patients.
• Basic MATLAB knowledge and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct basic translational research under supervision.
• Assist with handling samples and data collection.
• Support documentation, notebooks, and data management.
• Coordinate with lab personnel and collaborators.

Skills

MATLAB basics

Patient interaction

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

We are seeking a candidate to fulfill the role of Research Assistant I in the Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology lab of Dr. Nitin Tandon at UTHealth. The lab specializes in the study of human language processing and cognition, using direct recordings and electrical stimulation, in the brains of patients with epilepsy and tumors implanted with intracranial elctrodes during various experimental tasks. Data from these tasks include a combination of EEG (iEEG), intracranial electrical stimulation (iES), functional MRI (fMRI), eye tracking, and behavioral tests. The lab is also interested in clinical studies focusing on epilepsy and tumors.

Preferred skills:

The candidate should preferably be comfortable interacting with patients in a hospital setting, competent in using computers, basic knowledge of MATLAB (or equivalent) programming, self-motivated and have excellent interpersonal communication skills to support coordination among lab members, research personnel, collaborators, hospital staff and patients. Depending on the candidate's interests, the PI will support the candidate to perform independent research with the possibility of poster presentations and publications.

What we do here changes the world.

UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave.

It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time - all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees!

As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as ...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary

The Research Assistant I, under general supervision, conducts basic/ translational research which may include animal work and other activities according to research protocol. Research activities may include some or all of the following: handling biological samples, laboratory experiments and activities, and data collection.

Position Key Accountabilities

• Under general supervision, performs laboratory experiments and activities to support research objectives.
• Collects, organize and prepares research data to provide needed information to principal investigators and other researchers. Updates notebooks, records, and databases as needed.
• Maintains clean laboratory equipment and/or work area to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Orders laboratory and/or other supplies as directed by senior research staff.
• Stays abreast of new and updated procedures and protocols for the research laboratory. Must maintain compliance with required training. May participate in continuing education programs, seminars, and workshops.
• As needed, may coordinate the work of technicians to ensure efficient, timely and high-quality results.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include

• Explains study details to patients and obtains informed consent
• Collects data in the epilepsy monitoring unit and operating rooms
• Cleans newly collected data (using computer software programs)
• Performs simple data analyses as instructed (using computer software programs)
• Operates and maintains data recording and stimulation computers
• Manages research project data bases and other study documents
• Ensures compliance with IRB research protocols and assists with yearly IRB study reviews
• Communicates with PI, other lab personnel and collaborating labs on shared projects
• Ensures essential documentation and recording of patient and research data in appropriate files per institutional and regulatory requirements

Certification/Skills

• General knowledge of research fields

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree required May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement.

Minimum Experience: None

Physical Requirements: Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive: This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code

• 51.215 and Texas Government Code
• 411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code
• 117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R.
• 791.4. Residency Requirement:

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