Research Data Specialist I

University of Texas at Dallas; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Benefits

Medical Insurance

Disability Insurance

Dental & Vision Plan

TRS Retirement Plan

Fertility Benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

University of Texas at Dallas is seeking a Research Data Specialist I to join the Price and Tavares Labs within the Neuroscience department. The role focuses on curating and analyzing large sequencing datasets from brain regions involved in pain and analgesia, and supporting data management platforms and workflows.

You will work with RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics data, applying statistical methods and validating hypotheses in collaboration with lab members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with six months of related field experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
• Five+ years of experience with R or Python.
• Three+ months of experience analyzing RNA-seq datasets.
• Familiarity with basic molecular biology.
• Familiarity with basic neuroscience, with strength in neuroanatomy.

Responsibilities

• Collect, manage, and clean RNA-seq datasets.
• Employ tools to interpret, analyze, and visualize RNA-seq datasets.
• Create databases and perform statistical analyses as appropriate.
• Assist in developing reports, charts, graphs, and tables for investigators and publications.
• Collaborate with faculty and research staff on data collection and analysis methods.
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation using established methods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

R programming

Python programming

RNA-seq analysis

Molecular biology basics

Neuroscience basics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Details

• Salary Range: $45,000, DOQ
• Pay Basis: Monthly
• Position Status: Regular full-time
• Location: Richardson
• Desired Start Date: 12/01/2026
• Open Until Filled: Yes
• Department: Neuroscience

Job Summary

The Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS) at UT Dallas are seeking a Research Data Specialist I to join the Price and Tavares Labs.

The Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS) is composed of eight founding UT Dallas faculty members, affiliate faculty at UT Southwestern (UTSW), twelve postdoctoral fellows/research associates, and graduate students across multiple academic disciplines studying different aspects of chronic pain and migraine. The research mission of CAPS is to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying chronic pain and migraine and discover novel therapeutics for the treatment of chronic pain through academic, public, and private partnerships.

The Price Lab focuses on understanding how neuronal plasticity influences nociceptive processing and contributes to chronic pain. The Tavares Lab focuses on understanding how molecular mechanisms and RNA regulation influence axonal function and contribute to peripheral neuropathies and neurodegeneration.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team working to identify novel targets that regulate the excitability of sensory neurons following injury and the mechanisms that cause pain to become chronic. This position will curate and analyze existing datasets from brain regions involved in pain and analgesia and support data management services, data collection platform project creation and administration, and the development of technical processes and documentation.

The Research Data Specialist I will analyze and interpret large sequencing datasets by applying statistical methods to RNA‑seq, ATAC‑seq, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics datasets. The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the laboratory to test, validate, and refine hypotheses and will support growing researcher needs alongside the research support staff team.

This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree with six months of experience in a related field. An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Five or more years of experience with R or Python programming.
• Three or more months of experience analyzing RNA‑seq datasets.
• Familiarity with basic molecular biology.
• Familiarity with basic neuroscience, with strength in neuroanatomy.

Other Qualifications

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Collect, manage, and clean RNA‑seq datasets.
• Employ new and existing tools and software to interpret, analyze, and visualize RNA‑seq datasets.
• Create databases and perform statistical analyses, as appropriate.
• Assist in developing reports, charts, graphs, and tables for use by investigators and for publication and presentation.
• Collaborate with faculty and research staff on data collection and analysis methods.
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation using established methods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work collaboratively in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to apply established quality control criteria to all experimental designs.
• Ability to communicate effectively through verbal presentations and written technical reports for internal and external presentations, publications, and grant preparation.
• Ability to contribute to a cohesive and efficient team environment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Travel: This position may be subject to occasional travel for conferences or for training and/or research needs. Work Notice: Work will be performed on-site and in person.

Additional Information

What We Can Offer

• Competitive Salary
• Tuition Benefits
• BCBS PPO Medical Insurance Options - including 100% paid employee medical coverage for full-time employees
• AD&D Insurance
• Dental & Vision Plan Options
• Optional Long and Short-term Disability
• TRS Retirement Plan
• Fertility Benefits
• Paid time off

All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program.

Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.

About Us: UT Dallas is a top public research university located in one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan regions. Our seven schools offer more than 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus professional certificates and fast-track programs. Our student body is 31,000 strong, reflecting students from over 100 countries and a multiplicity of identities and experiences. UT Dallas is committed to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world.

Rich with visual and performing arts venues, museum districts, professional and semi-professional athletics teams, botanical gardens, accessible trails and so much more, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex has something for everyone to explore. UT Dallas partners with regional higher education institutions and school districts and with the Richardson Innovation Quarter (Richardson IQ), a major hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and educational activities.

Let us be your employer of choice! #WHOOSH

Important Message

All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.