Social Science/Humanities Research Associate II

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Orsini Lab at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a full-time Social Science/Humanities Research Associate II to support an R01 project investigating neural circuit mechanisms of risky decision making and substance use. The role involves hands-on behavioral neuroscience work with preclinical rodent models on a 40-hour week at UT Main Campus.

You will conduct rodent behavioral tasks, perform injections, and assist with histology and data management, maintaining meticulous animal

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience or related field.
• Minimum two years of relevant experience if no master’s degree.
• Experience in a behavioral neuroscience lab.
• Direct experience with rats required.
• Experience with rodent injections (systemic or subcutaneous).
• Strong organizational and data management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Independent and collaborative work style.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rodent behavioral experiments (operant tasks, drug self-administration).
• Perform systemic and intracranial injections.
• Carry out stereotaxic surgeries and post-operative care.
• Support histological assays (IHC, FISH).
• Maintain animal records, inventories, and SOPs.
• Uphold lab cleanliness, organization, and safety.
• Assist with data collection and management across projects.

Skills

Neuroscience lab experience

Rats handling

Rodent injections

Data management

Communication skills

Independent & collaborative work

Flexible working hours

Education

Master’s degree in Psychology/Neuroscience or related field

Tools

Stereotaxic surgery

Immunohistochemistry

RNAscope

Fluorescent in situ hybridization

Job description

Job Posting Title: Social Science/Humanities Research Associate II

Hiring Department: Department of Psychology

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Feb 28, 2027

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes The Orsini Lab is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented full-time Social Science/Humanities Research Associate II to support a newly funded R01 project investigating the neural circuit mechanisms of risky decision making and substance use. The associate will play an integral role in daily lab operations and ongoing behavioral neuroscience research using preclinical rodent models. This position offers hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge techniques in systems and behavioral neuroscience. 1 year fixed-term with possibility of extension. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submission.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rodent behavioral experiments (rats), with emphasis on operant-based tasks and drug self‑administration tasks.
• Perform systemic and intracranial injections.
• Perform stereotaxic surgeries and provide post‑operative care.
• Contribute to histological and cellular assays in the wet lab (e.g., immunohistochemistry, fluorescent in situ hybridization).
• Maintain accurate animal records, chemical and reagent inventories, and standard operating procedures.
• Uphold lab cleanliness, organization, and safety standards.
• Support data collection, entry, and management across ongoing projects.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, or a related biological science required; candidates without a master’s degree must have a minimum of two years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on experience working in a behavioral neuroscience laboratory (paid or unpaid).
• Direct experience working with rats. This is an absolute requirement. Applicants will not be considered if there is no prior experience working with rats.
• Experience performing systemic or subcutaneous injections in rodents.
• Strong organizational and data management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Reliable and flexible regarding working hours (early mornings, evenings, or weekends as needed).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a lab manager or research technician.
• Experience with stereotaxic surgery and/or intracranial injections in rodents.
• Familiarity with histological techniques (e.g., immunohistochemistry, RNAscope, Nissl staining) and fluorescence microscopy.
• Exposure to viral vector approaches (optogenetics, chemogenetics, fiber photometry).
• Experience with basic statistical analysis and/or data visualization.

Salary Range

$42,000 - $50,256

Working Conditions

Personal protective equipment provided. Work environments include standard office, animal vivarium, and wet lab settings. May work around biohazards and chemicals under appropriate safety protocols. Physical requirements include keyboard use, manual dexterity, stair climbing, and lifting/moving materials.

Work Shift

Reliable and flexible regarding working hours (early mornings, evenings, or weekends as needed).

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 relevant laws. 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.

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Comments and Inquiries

Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus