Research Engineering Scientist Associate IV, Center for Biomedical Research Support

Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering Scientist Associate IV, Center for Biomedical Research Support

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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

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Center for Biomedical Research Support (CBRS) is a collection of 10 service centers that operates under the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR) and broadly supports the research community on campus and externally. CBRS serves a central role across all of campus to provide access to cutting-edge technology, expert advice, and centralized services. CBRS is comprised of core facilities including Biomedical Imaging, Bioinformatics, Biological Mass Spectrometry, Biomedical Research Computing, Cryo-EM imaging, Genome Sequencing, Microscopy/Flow Cytometry and Mouse Genetic Engineering. In addition, CBRS provides laboratory support in the forms of stockrooms, electronics repair, and external services drop boxes.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage

• Retirement contributions

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Paid holidays

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

The Genomic Sequencing and Analysis Facility is a full-service sequencing core offering services to researchers on campus ranging from genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and methylation array services. The selected scientist will be responsible for planning and executing complex bench experiments, development of new services and heavily supporting researchers through project planning.

Responsibilities

• Execute laboratory protocols without error according to manufacturer or published protocols including detailed documentation of work performed. Report to the director and work closely with technical NGS staff to fulfill single cell and spatial projects. Maintain accurate documentation of projects and manage inventory of reagents. Job duties will include performing single cell experiments using 10X and Parse single cell applications and onboarding new single cell technologies. In addition, performing spatial transcriptomic projects using the 10X CytAssist and Xemium platform. Occasionally running Illumina EPIC methylation arrays. Duties will also include bringing on new services, working with vendors to onboard new services, testing new products, train staff on new protocols, write detailed SOPs for the facility and assisting with creating a pricing structure for these new services. Duties will include successfully executing all next generation sequencing library preparation protocols and necessary quality control assays.

• Work closely with researchers to plan experimental details of projects. Provide guidance on sample submission requirements and recommendations for executing successful projects. Communicate project details, preparation of technical reports upon the completion of experiments detailing results. Required to process and analyze data through vendor software or necessary third-party packages. Host short courses to researchers on best practices for single cell and spatial application to ensure successful projects.

• Manage and maintain equipment necessary to perform single cell and spatial work. Work closely with vendors to ensure preventive maintenance schedules are followed, keep detailed documentation of necessary maintenance performed. Create SOPs for standard laboratory procedures, assist with maintaining laboratory spaces to ensure lab is meeting environmental health and safety requirements. Assist with inventory of supplies and lab maintenance.

• Stay up to date on emerging technologies, make recommendations for new technology investments or services the facility should adopt.

Required Qualifications

• PhD with at least 2 years of relevant experience, masters degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience, or a bachelors degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience.

• Hands-on molecular biology experience preparing libraries for next generation sequencing with an emphasis on Illumina technologies and complex library preparation workflows for single cell RNA-Seq with 10X and Parse, 10X Visium CytAssit and Xenium Spatial transcriptomics. Must be familiar with assessing cell and nuclei quality with hemocytometer and fluorescent cell imagers. Experience performing H&E staining of tissue.

• Must be detailed oriented and self-motivated and able to demonstrate these required qualifications. Have strong written and verbal communication skills and work in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience setting up next generation sequencers.

• Experience working in an academic or relevant industry genomics core setting.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in next generation sequencing library preparation and sequencer set up.

• Experience preparing samples for single cell RNA-Seq workflows, single cell suspensions, cell/nuclei and tissue fixation, and nuclei isolations.

• Tissue processing and sectioning for spatial transcriptomic assays experience.

• Oxford Nanopore library preparation and sequencer setup experience.

• RNA-Seq data analysis experience.

Salary Range

$80,000 + 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

• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Use of manual dexterity

• Climbing of stairs

• Climbing of ladders

• Lifting and moving

• Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines

Required Materials

Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

• Resume/CV.

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

• Letter of interest.

• Finalists will be required to give a 20 minute presentation to the interview panel regarding their experience and how it meets the required qualifications for the position.

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 contractors 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 universitys 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.