Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate IV

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Hiring Department:

Department of Neurosurgery

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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

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Department of Neurosurgery at the Dell Medical School is looking for a Research Engineering/Scientist Associate IV.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and conduct experimental research involving mouse models, with particular emphasis on stereotactic implantation of brain tumors.

Apply molecular biology techniques including but not limited to RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry.

Utilize confocal microscopy to analyze tissue samples and generate high-quality imaging data.

Oversee experimental design, data collection, and analysis.

Train and supervise graduate students, medical students, and other lab members in molecular biology, in vivo models, and microscopy techniques.

Manage laboratory operations, including organization of resources, maintaining protocols, and fostering a collaborative lab environment.

Assist with grant writing, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of research findings

Purpose

The Kumar Lab at UT Austin is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Postdoctoral Fellow/Staff Scientist with expertise in molecular biology and advanced mouse models of brain tumors. This position will play a key leadership role in ongoing projects, contributing to cutting-edge research focused on tumor biology, microglia replacement therapy, and pediatric brain tumor treatments. This position has potential for a long-term role in Kumar Lab helping lead the development of a novel class of therapeutics for pediatric brain tumors.

Responsibilities

Experimental Leadership and Research Execution: Design, perform, and lead experimental work involving advanced mouse models, including stereotactic implantation of brain tumors. Utilize molecular biology techniques such as flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemistry to explore tumor microenvironments and microglia replacement therapies.

Microscopy, Flow Cytometry, and Data Analysis: Operate confocal microscopy to generate high-resolution images, flow cytometry, and perform detailed data analysis. Ensure the quality, reproducibility, and interpretation of imaging data, while working closely with team members on image quantification and related experiments.

Mentorship and Training: Provide hands-on training to graduate students, medical students, and lab personnel in advanced experimental techniques, including animal surgery, molecular biology, and microscopy. Support junior lab members in their career development and research skills, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Lab Management and Leadership: Manage daily lab operations, including maintaining lab resources, organizing research protocols, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Serve as a key point of contact for the principal investigator, assisting in project oversight, troubleshooting experiments, and contributing to strategic research decisions and grant applications.

Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering or a related field with major coursework in the field of assignment and two years of related experience or master's degree and four years of related experience, or bachelor's degree and six years of related experience. Ability to use and design specialized research equipment as required by the project. Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology techniques, with specific focus on cancer biology or neurobiology. Extensive experience with mouse models and stereotactic surgical techniques Proficiency in working with mouse models of disease, particularly in stereotactic implantation of brain tumors and other related procedures. Proficiency in advanced microscopy and flow cytometry Hands-on experience with confocal microscopy for imaging brain tissues and flow cytometry for cellular analysis. Strong background in molecular biology methodologies Expertise in techniques such as RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and qPCR. Experience in mentoring and training junior researchers Demonstrated ability to train and supervise students and other lab personnel in experimental procedures and laboratory techniques. Excellent organizational and communication skills Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and communicate research findings clearly both in writing and verbally. Ability to work independently and collaboratively Demonstrated capacity to lead projects, while also contributing to a team-based research environment. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with microglia research or tumor microenvironment studies. Familiarity with the biology of microglia, immune cell interactions in the brain, or tumor-immune system dynamics. · Experience with single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Expertise in advanced molecular techniques to dissect cellular heterogeneity within brain tumors. · Background in pediatric brain tumor research Specific research experience in pediatric neuro-oncology, particularly glioma biology, would be highly valuable for the lab’s focus on novel treatment strategies for pediatric brain tumors.. · Experience with computational biology or bioinformatics Proficiency in analyzing high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., RNA-Seq, scRNA-Seq) using bioinformatics pipelines or tools.

Salary Range

$65,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished).

May work around chemical fumes.

May work around standard office conditions.

May work around biohazards.

May work around chemicals.

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Use of manual dexterity.

Climbing of stairs.

Lifting and moving.

Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines.

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 most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.