Research Assistant I and II Job Listing at UT Dallas in Richardson, TX (Job ID 27531)

Description

We are seeking to fill the position of Research Assistant I and II in the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Dallas under the supervision of Dr. Puja Parekh. Our lab is interested in understanding the neural circuit mechanisms supporting cognitive functions and motivated behaviors and how they are affected by chronic stress and pharmacological and behavioral interventions. We use a wide range of in vivo techniques in mice to explore these questions including viral-mediated gene transfer, calcium imaging, optogenetics and behavioral assessments, as well as single-cell transcriptomic.

This position will provide technical assistance in support of various research projects and conduct research activities according to research protocol. Research activities may include some or all of the following: patient recruiting and screening, traditional laboratory experiments & activities, informatics, and/or animal laboratory work.

This position has been funded for 12 months with the possibility of extending it to 24 months.

Minimum Education and Experience

Research Assistant I:
Bachelor's degree in one of the basic sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience in customer service or in daily interactions in a public services environment.

Research Assistant II:
Bachelor's degree; three years related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree with a major or minor (or relevant coursework) in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Cognitive Science, Biological Psychology or a related field and some hands-on laboratory-based research experience in these areas.
• Experience with mouse handling or husbandry and familiarity with behavioral assays and common techniques such as administration of compounds via injection.
• Basic experience with MATLAB and/or Python or willingness to learn how to implement existing scripts and pipelines to analyze behavioral and neural data.
• Willingness to perform survival and terminal procedures as needed.
• Knowledge of basic statistics for data analysis and ability to think analytically.
• Exposure to techniques in mouse brain tissue processing for histological assessment or extraction of fresh brain tissue for molecular assays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Research Assistant I:

• Assist PI with lab management including ordering supplies and keeping an up-to-date inventory
• Maintaining protocols and compliance paperwork for the lab
• Performing experiments with live animals or tissue samples under the guidance of the Principal Investigator
• Preparing data for dissemination
• Assist in training junior lab members
• Participating actively in lab meetings and departmental events
• Other duties as assigned

Research Assistant I position information:
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $36,764 – $38,000
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree in one of the basic sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Research Assistant II:

• Performs duties and responsibilities above with advanced experience and comprehensive knowledge.
• Provide highly responsible technical skills in carrying out various research projects.

Research Assistant II position information:
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $38,000 – $40,000
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree; three years related experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Work independently and collaboratively within the research team.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in written and oral communication.
• Motivated to learn quickly
• Consistency and reliability
• Time management skills and the ability to perform multiple tasks daily and plan ahead to accommodate long-term experiments involving live animals.
• An interest in the research questions being investigated and in contributing to experimental design
• Proficiency with notebook keeping, and the proper use of basic laboratory equipment such as pipettes, graduated cylinders and balances.

Additional Information

Work Notice:
Work will be performed on-site and in person.
What We Can Offer
UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We offer an employee-friendly work environment with a comprehensive benefits package including:
Competitive Salary
Tuition Benefits
Internal Training
Medical insurance – including 100% paid employee medical coverage for full-time employees
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Long and short-term disability
Retirement Plan Options
Paid time off
Paid Holidays All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program.

Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.

About Us
UT Dallas is a top public research university located in one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan regions. Our seven schools offer more than 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus professional certificates and fast-track programs. Our student body is 31,000 strong, reflecting students from over 100 countries and a multiplicity of identities and experiences. UT Dallas is committed to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world.

The University has a variety of programs and initiatives to support engagement and success for all members of the campus community. Employee benefits include a range of physical and mental wellness resources. “LilyPad” lactation facilities are located throughout the campus. There are several employee resource groups (ERGs) comprised of individuals who share common interests in helping build community among UT Dallas faculty and staff (e.g., Universal Access ERG, Military and Veteran ERG, UT Dallas Young Professionals). Rich with visual and performing arts venues, museum districts, professional and semi-professional athletics teams, botanical gardens, accessible trails and so much more, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex has something for everyone to explore. UT Dallas partners with regional higher education institutions and school districts and with the Richardson Innovation Quarter (Richardson IQ), a major hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and educational activities.

Important Message

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. EOE, including disability/veterans. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

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