Research Engineering/Scientist Associate IV

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 53,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX, invites applications for a Research Engineering/Scientist Associate IV in the Department of Neuroscience. The role focuses on ion-channel biology, molecular biology workflows, and collaborative grant-writing within a dynamic neuroscience lab.

The incumbent will contribute to cDNA constructs, viral vectors, protein expression/purification, and advanced imaging, with emphasis on rodent-related projects and data analyses.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or related field.
• Experience in molecular biology and protein purification.

Responsibilities

• Provide support in molecular biology and biochemistry for lab projects including designing and generating cDNA constructs and viral expression vectors; expression and purification of proteins from bacteria and mammalian cells; production and testing of antibodies directed against ion channels and synaptic proteins; transcriptomic analyses of gene expression.
• Perform experiments involving immunohistochemistry, electron and confocal microscopy in various tissue preparations.
• Participate in general lab management duties including onboarding personnel, compliance, oversight of animal colonies, manage IACUC and biosafety protocols, equipment purchases/maintenance.
• Train lab staff to participate in mouse colony maintenance, general lab maintenance, experiments involving cell culture, biochemistry, molecular biology.
• Engage intellectually in projects by attending lab meetings, seminars, conferences, and collaborating with lab staff in writing grants, manuscripts.

Skills

Molecular biology

Protein purification

Immunohistochemistry

Microscopy

Laboratory management

Animal handling

Bioinformatics

Grant writing

Education

PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or related field

Tools

Confocal microscopy

Electron microscopy

RNA transcriptomics

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate IV

Hiring Department:

Department of Neuroscience

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Jul 01, 2026

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jun 30, 2027

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

Job Details:

General Notes

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

Incumbent will work on research related to ion channels in the lab of Dr. Amy Lee in the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin.

Responsibilities

• Provide support in molecular biology and biochemistry for lab projects including designing and generating cDNA constructs and viral expression vectors; expression and purification of proteins from bacteria and mammalian cells; production and testing of antibodies directed against ion channels and synaptic proteins; transcriptomic analyses of gene expression.

• Perform experiments involving immunohistochemistry, electron and confocal microscopy in various tissue preparations.

• Participate in general lab management duties including onboarding personnel, compliance, oversight of animal colonies, manage IACUC and biosafety protocols, equipment purchases/maintenance.

• Train lab staff to participate in mouse colony maintenance, general lab maintenance, experiments involving cell culture, biochemistry, molecular biology.

• Engage intellectually in projects by attending lab meetings, seminars, conferences, and collaborating with lab staff in writing grants, manuscripts.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or related field

• Experience in molecular biology and protein purification

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rodent handling, confocal and/or electron microscopy, adenoassociated virus design, antibody purification

• Experience in bioinformatic analyses

• At least one first author publication

Salary

$62,000

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.

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). 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.

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.