Research Engineer — Field & Lab Imaging Instrumentation

Job Duties

• Directs day-to-day operations of the electron microscopy laboratory, ensuring reliable, efficient, and high-quality delivery of EM services in alignment with the Director's scientific vision and priorities.
• Provides advanced technical and operational leadership for electron microscopy workflows, instrumentation, and service offerings; oversees EM personnel to ensure consistent execution of approved methods and standards.
• Applies deep expertise in TEM/SEM systems and advanced EM modalities, to guide operational decisions, assess technical feasibility, and support implementation of new methods and protocols developed under the Director's direction.
• Covers laboratory duties, schedules, project activities, instrument usage, operating time, billing, and space utilization to support multiple concurrent research and/or clinical projects.
• Oversees readiness and availability of EM instrumentation and technical resources, including coordination of service, maintenance, calibration schedules, and downtime planning to minimize disruption to users.
• Supervises laboratory and administrative personnel, and support staff; manages staffing levels, assignments, onboarding, and professional development in accordance with institutional guidelines.
• Orders and allocates laboratory supplies, materials, and equipment; manages inventory, vendor relationships, service contracts, warranties, licenses, and permits to ensure continuity of operations.
• Ensures compliance with safety, regulatory, and institutional requirements; oversees training programs, documentation systems, audits, and corrective actions related to EM laboratory operations.
• Makes sure to monitor and report laboratory performance metrics, including utilization, turnaround time, staffing efficiency, and operational costs; supports budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Identifies operational risks and technical bottlenecks; escalates scientific decisions to the Director while independently resolving administrative, staffing, and operational issues.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience Required:
  • Master's Degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or biomedical field or
  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or biomedical field
• 3 years of progressively responsible electron microscopy experience, demonstrating increasing leadership over EM operations, instrumentation, and service delivery with a Master's Degree or
• 5 years of progressively responsible electron microscopy experience, demonstrating increasing leadership over EM operations, instrumentation, and service delivery with a Bachelor's Degree

• Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:
  • Advanced, in-depth knowledge of electron microscopy methodologies, instrumentation, and data quality standards sufficient to oversee and govern day-to-day EM operations.
  • Independent judgment and high-level problem-solving related to operational execution of EM services, while escalating final scientific decisions to the Director.
  • Accountability for facility-wide instrumentation performance, operational readiness, and adherence to specimen-handling and data-quality standards.
  • Advanced organizational and communication skills to coordinate complex, multi-user EM workflows, manage competing priorities, and ensure consistent execution of approved methods.
  • Expert-level understanding of EM workflows and techniques, including the physical, spatial, and quantitative principles underlying advanced microscopy, even when not performing routine hands-on work.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to author and maintain SOPs, operational documentation, training materials, and internal guidance.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination, Talking
• Working Conditions: Hazards, Laboratory Setting

PACT Statement

The following is the acronym, "PACT", and is fundamental to all non-clinical positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center:

• P-Problem Solving: Employees take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently, and to the satisfaction of customers, or managers. They show initiative in addressing areas of concern before they become problems.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Accountability: Employees exhibit ability to perform their job and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner reflecting a professional environment readily assuming obligations in a dependable and reliable manner.
• C-Communication, Contribution, and Collaboration: Who are our Customers? Anyone who requests our help, needs our work product, or receives our services. Employees focus on customer service with creative solutions while improving the customer experience through clear, courteous, and timely delivery and communication. Sharing ideas with others helps expand our contribution to department goals.
• T-Teamwork: Employees work to contribute to the department's success by supporting co-workers, promoting excellence in work product and customer service, and in maintaining a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

Salary

Salary Negotiable

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

Primary Location

Texas-Dallas-5323 Harry Hines Blvd

Work Locations

5323 Harry Hines Blvd

5323 Harry Hines Blvd

Dallas 75390

Job

Research & Laboratory

Organization

353001 - CB-Core EMCF

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Employee Status

Regular

Job Type

Standard

UTSW Job Grade

University Classified Grade 22