Research Assistant I - Ophthalmology

UTHealth Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free financial and legal counseling

Free mental health counseling services

Gym membership discounts and access to

Other employee discounts including

Resources for child and elder care

Plus many more!

Job summary

UTHealth Houston's Department of Ophthalmology in Houston seeks a Research Assistant I to support basic and translational vision research, including some animal work, in a collaborative lab.

The role involves wet-bench experiments, data collection, and coordination with investigators. A Bachelor's degree is required; candidates gain hands-on training, contribute to meaningful studies, and grow skills in a world‑renowned research environment.

Qualifications

• General knowledge of research fields.
• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

General knowledge of research fields

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Join the UTHealth Department of Ophthalmology in Houston, Texas, as a Research Assistant I and contribute to innovative vision research that helps advance the understanding and treatment of eye diseases and disorders. In this hands-on role, you will support a variety of laboratory and small animal research procedures, working alongside experienced investigators in a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in scientific discovery, enthusiasm for wet-bench research techniques, and the motivation to develop their skills while contributing to meaningful studies that drive advancements in ophthalmic science.

What we do here changes the world.

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

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

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.

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

• 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.