Research Engineering/Scientist Associate III

University of Texas at Austin; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ressl Laboratory in the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking an experienced Research Engineering/Scientist Associate III to serve as a central scientific and operational anchor of the lab. You will investigate how synapses are built and maintained at the molecular level, focusing on protein complexes that organize synaptic connections.

Working with the PI, you will handle eukaryotic cell culture, protein expression and purification,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Neuroscience, or related field with 2+ years of related research; OR Bachelor’s with 4+ years of related research.
• Experience in eukaryotic cell culture (BSL-2) including establishing and maintaining cell lines.
• Experience with eukaryotic protein expression and purification.
• Experience with biochemical/biophysical protein characterization.
• Experience with electron microscopy imaging and data analysis.
• Strong lab organization, record-keeping, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and sound scientific judgment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Tissue culture and establishment/maintenance of cell lines (BSL-2).
• Protein purification and biochemical/biophysical characterization of complexes.
• Electron microscopy imaging and data analysis.

Skills

Cell culture (BSL-2)

Protein expression & purification

Biochemical/biophysical protein work

Electron microscopy imaging & analysis

Lab operations & management

Independent work with minimal oversigh

Education

Master’s in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Neuroscience or related field

Bachelor’s + 4+ years related research experience

Tools

Electron microscopy software

Electronic lab notebooks

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate III

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Hiring Department:

Department of Neuroscience

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Sep 01, 2026

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Ressl Laboratory in the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin is looking for an experienced and highly organized Research Engineering/Scientist Associate III to serve as a central scientific and operational anchor of the lab. Join us to investigate how synapses are built and maintained at the molecular level, focusing on the structure and function of the protein complexes that organize synaptic connections.

Building on recent data and funded grants, you will help expand this work toward biomarker discovery of synapse health relevant to memory & learning, aging, neurodegeneration, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. This direction connects our structural and biochemical foundation to translational questions about how the brain changes with age and disease, and how early synaptic changes might be detected or targeted.

Looking for a self-directed scientist who can advance professional-level research with minimal oversight while helping keep the lab running smoothly. Working directly with the Principal Investigator, you will handle eukaryotic cell culture and cell-line development, protein expression and purification, biochemical/biophysical characterization, and electron microscopy imaging and analysis. There will be opportunity for scientific autonomy, a collegial and respectful working environment, mentorship and continuing-education support, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to discoveries.

The position will be full-time and benefits eligible. Initial assignment will be for one year. Subsequent renewal of employment will be based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.

Purpose

Provide research support and operational lab support.

Responsibilities

Research:

• Tissue culture laboratory experiments, including establishing and maintaining cell lines, and eukaryotic protein expression (BSL-2)
• Protein purification and biochemical/biophysical characterization of protein complexes
• Electron microscopy imaging and associated data analysis

Laboratory operations and management:

• Laboratory operations and management, including reagent and supply ordering, inventory, safety-protocol compliance, and some training and/or oversight of undergraduate researchers

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Neuroscience, or a related field and a minimum of two (2) years of related research experience; OR a Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and a minimum of four (4) years of related research experience
• Demonstrated experience in eukaryotic cell culture (BSL-2), including establishing and maintaining cell lines
• Experience with eukaryotic protein expression and protein purification
• Experience with biochemical and/or biophysical protein characterization
• Experience with electron microscopy imaging and associated image/data analysis
• Strong laboratory organization, record-keeping, and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to exercise sound scientific judgment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; a dependable, collaborative team member

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience various types of tissue and protein sample preparation for electron and fluorescence microscopy and respective image analysis workflows
• Experience with virus-driven eukaryotic expression systems
• Prior experience training or supervising undergraduate researchers
• Prior laboratory-management or laboratory-coordination experience
• Proficiency with electron microscopy data-analysis software and electronic laboratory notebooks

Salary

$55,000+ depending on experience

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around biohazards
• May work around chemicals
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

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.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.