Work-Study Assistant (Lab)

University of Texas; United States; On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Part-Time Undergrad Work-Study Assistant to support lab activities in the Psychiatry department. You will work on-site at the Health Discovery Building (HDB), performing routine lab tasks and assisting supervisors to meet research needs.

The role is 12 hours per week with potential weekend work. Responsibilities include washing glassware, media prep, waste handling, equipment maintenance, and possible exposure to biohazard materials.

Qualifications

• Must have an active Work-Study award as part of your financial aid package.
• Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled undergraduate students at the University of Texas at Austin with a valid Work Study award.
• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Able to follow detailed instructions accurately and consistently.
• Good attention to detail.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Washing and autoclaving glassware
• Preparing agar plates and liquid culture media
• Preparing and autoclaving pipette tip boxes, microcentrifuge tubes, and Pasteur pipettes
• Boxing up biohazard waste
• Retrieving packages
• Restocking items around the lab
• Submitting biohazard and chemical waste for disposal
• Helping maintain equipment including tissue culture incubators
• Lifting/moving heavy boxes and compressed gas cylinders (75% or more)
• Mouse colony management, if you are interested

Skills

active Work-Study award

independent work

follow detailed instructions

attention to detail

Education

Undergraduate student at UT Austin

Job description

Job Posting Title: Work-Study Assistant (Lab) – Hiring Department: Department of Psychiatry – Position Open To: All Applicants – Weekly Scheduled Hours: 12 – FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA – Earliest Start Date: Sep 28, 2026 – Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Oct 01, 2027 – Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes The Part-Time Undergrad Work-Study Assistant will assist with day-to-day lab-based task work. This position requires that the employee be available for five to twelve hours of work per week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. with the option of weekend work if preferred. The employee will work on site at the Health Discovery Building (HDB). This position has an end date of 10/01/2027, but may be renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward goals. This is not a research position, but we are happy to have assistants progress to bench work and research should they be interested. Purpose The Part-Time Undergrad Work-Study Assistant will aid with lab duties as requested from their direct supervisor. The purpose of this role is to provide students with an opportunity to get hands-on lab experience while offering support to our current research needs.

Responsibilities

• Washing and autoclaving glassware
• Preparing agar plates and liquid culture media
• Preparing and autoclaving pipette tip boxes, microcentrifuge tubes, and Pasteur pipettes
• Boxing up biohazard waste
• Retrieving packages
• Restocking items around the lab
• Submitting biohazard and chemical waste for disposal
• Helping maintain equipment including tissue culture incubators
• Lifting/moving heavy boxes and compressed gas cylinders (75% or more)
• Mouse colony management, if you are interested

Required Qualifications

• Must have an active Work-Study award as part of your financial aid package
• Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled undergraduate students at the University of Texas at Austin with a valid Work Study award
• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision
• Able to follow detailed instructions accurately and consistently
• Good attention to detail
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in pursuing research is a plus

Salary Range

• $15.00 Hourly

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around chemicals
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Lifting and Moving
• Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Please confirm your eligibility for this position here: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/student/student_acad_employment.html

Retirement Plan Eligibility

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

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. 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.

About Us

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

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].

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