Senior Research Scientist - Integrative Biology and Pharmacology

UTHealth Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid medical premiums

Generous time off (vacation/holidays)

Longevity Pay

Retirement/pension plan

Job summary

UTHealth Houston seeks a Senior Research Scientist to lead projects on the cell biology, physiology, and pharmacology of cell regulation. Responsibilities include preparing dorsal root ganglion neurons, recording electrophysiology, and guiding related rat behavioral data collection.

The role uses advanced ML/AI for data analysis and may involve rat surgeries to model chronic neural changes. The ideal candidate will have a PhD, 4+ years in relevant research, experience with patch-clamp

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in a related field is required.
• At least 4 years of related research experience and verifiable publications.
• Experience with dissociation, culture, and recording from sensory neurons using whole-cell patch methods.
• Experience in rodent surgeries and rat models is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, oversee, and direct research projects.
• Design and perform complex experiments; interpret results for publication.
• Lead methodological development and implement new techniques.
• Maintain lab equipment and ensure safety training and compliance.
• Mentor junior lab members and manage HR activities within the department.

Skills

Patch-clamp electrophysiology

Machine learning

Behavioral data analysis

Rodent surgery

Education

Doctorate degree

Tools

Immunohistochemistry

Immunofluorescence

Confocal microscopy

Job description

The Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (IBP) is interested in the cell biology, physiology and pharmacology of cell regulation and communication. Our major research themes include the molecular mechanisms and spatiotemporal dynamics of membrane signaling, intracellular and metabolic signaling, the biology and physiology of cell-cell interactions, and the use of computational, structural and systems approaches to decipher signaling networks.

The Senior Research Scientist will 1) prepare human or rat dorsal root ganglion neurons for culture, 2) record electrophysiological activity from the cultured neurons, 3) oversee the collection of related behavioral data from rats, 4) optimize and use cutting-edge machine learning and AI tools for the analysis of electrophysiological and behavioral data. Periodically, he/she will conduct surgeries on rats to produce chronic hyperactivity in primary sensory neurons to enable later experiments correlating behavioral and cellular alterations.

Preferred skills:

Should be able to collect, evaluate, and interpret whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiological data and pain- and anxiety-related behavioral data using sophisticated statistical, machine learning, and AI tools. The Senior Research Scientist must have experience in conducting (or a strong interest in learning) surgical procedures on rodents, including a rat spinal cord injury model and rat hind paw postsurgical pain model. Must also be able to dissect human and rodent dorsal root ganglia, and to dissociate, culture, and record from the sensory neurons using whole-cell patch methods. It would be useful but not required to have experience in immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and confocal/fluorescence microscopy.

What we do here changes the world.

UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave.

It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees!

As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

The Senior Research Scientist plans, oversees, and directs research projects. Provides advanced scientific and technical expertise for designing, conducting, and reporting of research.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Designs executes and interprets the results of complex scientific experiments using advanced equipment, complex technique methods, and procedures.
• Evaluates and interprets data and provides results to support publication. Collaborates and submits research findings through written research papers, public presentation at local or national meetings, or exchanges with faculty member and other scientists to advance the scientific knowledge.
• Identifies and assesses the feasibility and significance of research projects. Conducts a feasibility study in terms of staff, time, and resources. If the findings are favorable, design the procedures and establish a research methodology to investigate and solve the problem.
• Formulates and implements new research techniques to enable projects to be carried out efficiently and complete assigned goals. Formulates a project or identifies a problem by partnering with key stakeholders.
• Prepares grant applications under the direction of the principal investigator.
• Stays abreast of new research progress and technological advances to upgrade research skills and produce accurate results. Researches literature for new progress and technological advances to upgrade research skills.
• Maintains lab equipment, assists in necessary repairs, and promotes a safe laboratory environment. Ensures direct reports follow safety procedures and attend introductory safety training courses.
• As a senior member of the lab, may lead lab meetings and may mentor junior lab members, including staff, students, and postdocs.
• Manages Human Resources activities of department in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• None

Minimum Education:

Doctorate Degree required

Minimum Experience:

4 years of experience in related research environments and have verifiable publications within the field of the research project required

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code

• 51.215 and Texas Government Code
• 411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code
• 117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R.
• 791.4. Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.