Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate IV

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate IV to support multiple projects in the McLellan Lab. The role combines cell culture, protein expression, and administrative lab duties to advance vaccine and protein research.

Responsibilities include mammalian cell culture, DNA cloning, protein purification, and maintaining inventory as well as ordering and reporting tasks. Strong communication and at least one year of lab experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Working knowledge and in-depth understanding of molecular biology techniques.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture production.
• Time management and effective organization.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Minimum of one year research experience in an academic or industry lab.

Responsibilities

• Perform mammalian cell culture experiments, maintenance, and transfections to support protein production.
• Conduct molecular biology tasks such as DNA cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and plasmid preps; purify proteins.
• Coordinate lab clean-ups, manage plasmid/strain databases, inventory, and attend group meetings.
• Place and receive material orders, maintain lab supplies, and ship/receive packages.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology techniques

Communication skills

Time management

Documentation

Research experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology/biochemistry

Job description

Job Posting Title

Research Engineering/ Scientist Associate IV

Hiring Department

Molecular Biosciences

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue Until Aug 17, 2027

Location

AUSTIN, TX

Job Details

General Notes

This position will end effective one year from start date. Subsequent annual renewal of employment will be based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.

Purpose

The position supports multiple research projects in the McLellan Lab (mclellanlab.org) via administrative oversight and cell-culture and protein expression. The McLellan Lab uses advanced structural biology techniques to understand the nature and function of viral and bacterial proteins to support the development of vaccines and potential treatments for deadly pathogens. In addition to mammalian cell culture production and protein expression, this position is responsible for administrative operations within the lab via regular material/supply ordering, inventory management, shipping and receiving, reporting, and other related tasks.

Responsibilities

• Performing mammalian cell culture experiments, such as cell maintenance and transient transfections, for the entire lab. Maintain the cell culture room and all reagents necessary for continuous, high-throughput and high-volume transfections to produce proteins for structural biology and vaccine design efforts.
• Perform molecular biology experiments such as DNA cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and plasmid preps. Purify and characterize proteins.
• Coordinate and assist with regular lab clean-ups, organize and record electronic information (i.e., plasmid and strain databases), reagents. Attend weekly group meetings and journal clubs to report on research status. Collect information for annual campus Environmental Health and Safety reporting.
• Place and receive material/supply orders, maintain inventory of laboratory supplies. Ship and receive packages on behalf the lab.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related scientific field. Working knowledge and in-depth understanding of molecular biology techniques. Experience in mammalian cell culture production. Time management and effective organization. The ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally. Minimum of one year research experience in an academic or industry lab. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Salary Range

$70,000

Working Conditions

• Personal protection equipment (furnished)
• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around biohazards
• May work around chemicals

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.

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]

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 other applicable regulations. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. 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.