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.

We are looking for a Casual/ Part-Time Research Technician I to join the UTHealth School of Public Health at the Edinburg, TX location. In this position, you will process blood or other specimens from study participants, including centrifugation, density gradients, and preparation of solutions, among other basic laboratory activities. You will also document results and prepare inventories of the processed specimens. 

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:

·         Job location:  Edinburg, TX, (UT- Rio Grande Valley at Edinburg)

·         Academic position supported by a research project.

·         Activities include:

o   Provides routine, entry-level technical assistance in carrying out assigned duties of research projects.

·         Ability to communicate in English is required. Communication in Spanish is ideal.

·         Organization skills are very important.

·         Excellent opportunity for professional growth. Research project topic aims at understand the biological basis for higher risk of infections like tuberculosis in individuals with diabetes, HIV or old age.

Position Key Accountabilities:

Conducts various routine clinical tests in research laboratory setting after completing the certification for laboratory work in accordance to the Biosafety Committee guidelines. Collects research and clinical testing protocols in accordance with requested methods. Prepares lab solutions for simple and more complex experiments. Performs tests using autoclave, centrifuges, microscopes and other basic laboratory equipment. Assist with support activities to the research protocol, such as autoclave material, prepare solutions, maintain an organized environment in the lab, document inventories, among others. Collects reference material, reads and understands the basic underlying biology of the techniques conducted. Provides support with data management activities, including data entry, photocopying, and quality control, after completion of the Human Biomedical Research training on the CITI portal. Maintains good communication (oral, email, WhatsApp) with study team to coordinate the activities listed above. Participates in the monthly laboratory meeting. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:

No experience necessary. Six months of experience in research lab preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.  
This position may include work involving potentially hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive agents.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

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