Research Technician III (McHugh)

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 27,193 - 31,257; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Texas is seeking a Research Technician II for the McHugh Lab in the Department of Bioengineering. The position supports innovative vaccine research through the development of drug delivery platforms. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and has prior laboratory experience, including proficiency in wet-lab techniques. This is an on-site role requiring collaboration with a diverse team. A commitment to global health research is crucial. The hiring range is $19.74 – $22.69 per hour.

Qualifications

• Prior laboratory research experience and comfort with wet-lab work.
• Detail-oriented and reliable in executing established protocols.
• Ability to identify and resolve routine technical issues.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory research supporting vaccine and drug delivery projects.
• Fabricate microparticle-based delivery systems following protocols.
• Collect and analyze experimental data accurately.

Skills

Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software

Proficiency in laboratory research skills

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Effective communication skills

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Ability to analyze experimental data

Ability to maintain quality and safety standards

Education

Associate degree in biomedical engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Special Instructions to Applicants

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300‑acre tree‑lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6‑to‑1 undergraduate student‑to‑faculty ratio, and a residential college system that supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close‑knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities. Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name—RICE—Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

About George R. Brown School Of Engineering And Computing

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (U.S. News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment. We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought; and to support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Job Description

The McHugh Lab in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University seeks to hire a Research Technician II to support research focused on the development of translational vaccine and drug delivery platforms. The lab’s work integrates biomaterials design, advanced manufacturing techniques, and immunoengineering to develop delivery systems for applications ranging from infectious disease prophylaxis to cancer therapeutics. This position will support an interdisciplinary research project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focused on developing controlled‑release vaccine delivery systems to enable combination vaccines. The research involves fabricating microparticle‑based delivery platforms designed to modulate antigen release timing and reduce immunological interference between co‑delivered vaccines, including the encapsulation of a next‑generation polio vaccine using the Particles Uniformly Liquified and Sealed to Encapsulate Drug (PULSED) platform. Under the direction of the Principal Investigator and senior research staff, the Research Technician II will independently perform a range of laboratory techniques, support in‑vitro and in‑vivo studies, analyze experimental data, and assist with optimizing and troubleshooting established protocols. The role requires close collaboration with postdoctoral researchers and graduate students and contributes directly to the execution of ongoing sponsored research activities.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate has prior laboratory research experience and is comfortable independently performing wet‑lab–based experimental work in a structured research environment. They are detail‑oriented, reliable, and capable of executing established protocols while identifying and resolving routine technical issues. The successful candidate works well in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team and is motivated to contribute to translational research focused on vaccine development and global health applications.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on‑site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

$19.74 – $22.69

Minimum Requirements

• Associate degree in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, chemical engineering, biology, chemistry, or a related field
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis.
• 3+ years of relevant laboratory experience, including hands‑on wet lab work
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year‑for‑year basis.

Skills

• Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite)
• Proficiency in laboratory research skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including accurate documentation of experimental data
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research team
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze experimental data
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and infection control standards in a laboratory environment

Preferences

• Two or more years of relevant laboratory or research experience
• Prior experience performing wet‑lab–based experimental work, particularly in biomaterials or immunology‑related research
• Experience with biochemical assays such as ELISA
• Familiarity with controlled‑release systems, microparticle fabrication, or drug/vaccine delivery research
• Experience supporting in‑vitro and/or in‑vivo experimental studies

Essential Functions

• Assist in conducting laboratory research and experiments supporting vaccine and drug delivery research projects
• Fabricate and process microparticle‑based delivery systems using established protocols
• Collect, track, and analyze experimental data using spreadsheets, databases, and laboratory records
• Perform biochemical assays, including ELISA‑based methods, to assess vaccine stability and performance
• Assist with in‑vitro release studies and in‑vivo experimental workflows in accordance with approved protocols
• Support day‑to‑day laboratory technical operations, including preparing reagents, creating kits, maintaining equipment, and promoting laboratory safety
• Monitor and maintain research samples, materials, and laboratory inventories; update tracking databases as needed
• Prepare procurement requests and assist with ordering laboratory materials and supplies
• Maintain organized research records to support data analysis, reporting, and publications
• Collaborate with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior staff on assigned research activities
• Perform all other duties as assigned in support of laboratory and research operations

Benefits

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Mission and Values

Rice Mission and Values | Rice University: Mission and Values | Rice University

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support.

Contact

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.