Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate II

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Hiring Department:

Center for Biomedical Research Support

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2021

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Description:

Transport, prepare and process samples for high throughput molecular testing by RT-qPCR for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a CLIA certified laboratory, principally as part of UT proactive community testing program.

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Job Details:

General Notes

Work schedule will require weekend work, but will be granted two consecutive days off during the week

Responsibilities

Disinfect and transport specimens collected in virus inactivating media for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Execute standard operating procedures with precision and in compliance with all CLIA guidelines and regulations.

Perform RNA extractions from respiratory and/or saliva specimens collected in virus inactivating media and perform PCR set ups for RT-qPCR for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Execute standard operating procedures with precision and in compliance with all CLIA guidelines and regulations.

Ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety standards and enforce policies and procedures. Ensure procedure manuals are up to date and available to testing personnel for all assays and procedures in the station. Ensure reagents are properly labeled, stored, and QCd appropriately before placed in use.

Use various LIMS to track, analyze, and result clinical testing runs Adjust, prioritize, and organize work to achieve maximum productivity. Assist peers and management with other tasks after completion of assigned work, operating as an effective member of a team. Participate in training and educating new hires and fellow staff.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology or related field. Must be comfortable handling 96 and 384 well plates and multi-channel pipettors. Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced high throughput lab environment. Must be comfortable working with potentially infectious clinical samples (COVID-19) with appropriate PPE (provided by employer).

This position may require some driving of personal or University owned vehicles. 

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

1-2 years of previous clinical lab experience a plus. Ability to work independently and follow SOP instructions precisely. Familiarity with CLIA regulations, documentation, and procedures. Familiarity with RT-qPCR and ability to interpret results and troubleshoot.

Preferable Attributes: Strong documentation and communication skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as listening skills Works well in a team environment. Flexibility and adaptability to changes. Reliable attendance and extra hours when required.

Salary Range

$52,000 +

Working Conditions

Attire: Business Casual or Scrubs

Long sleeves, pants, closed toe shoes. Personal protective equipment must be worn on site and will be provided by employer.

Work Shift

The work hours will vary between 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. - 40 hours per week, schedule will shift depending on sample throughput

Schedule will require weekends, Saturday and Sunday, but work week will still have two consecutive days off

Alternate work shifts are possible. Work hours may vary to ensure social distancing.

Required Materials

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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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.

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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.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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) [PDF]E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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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 2020 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.