Research Scientist, Surgery

About the Role

Plans, coordinates, directs, and participates in the work of a smaller research project or a major unit of a large research project in the field of specialization. The Levi laboratory in the Division of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery in the Department of Surgery seeks a Research Scientist with expertise in Immunology and/or Musculoskeletal Biology. The lab's mission is to improve the lives of people living with skin and musculoskeletal injuries and diseases through rigorous science and compassion.

Current projects focus on the molecular biology behind tissue fibrosis and the repair and regeneration process in tendon, muscle, and bone. The laboratory integrates multiomics-based approaches with investigations of musculoskeletal development, homeostasis, repair, and regeneration, using transgenic animal models combined with bioinformatic approaches.

Responsibilities

• Participates in experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
• Carries out routine molecular bench work combined with the use of animal models (animal handling, injections, surgeries, sample collection) and downstream processing (histology, immunofluorescent stain and confocal imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, single cell and bulk RNA sequencing) under supervision of the PI.
• Supervises laboratory personnel including students, technicians, and advanced degree holders in research techniques and protocols.
• Develops and/or advises on the development of new approaches for achieving research goals.
• Helps prepare data for, and assists with, writing/editing grants and manuscripts.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and personally participates in assigned scientific or medical research project.
• Selects or assists in selection of key research personnel; determines specific goals or objectives to be attained.
• Assigns and reviews work of subordinates; plans experimental protocols.
• Reviews and analyzes resulting research data; revises techniques or approaches as indicated by research data.
• Compiles, writes, and submits research results to supervisor; prepares or assists in preparation of research papers, reports, and abstracts for publication.
• Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.
• Plans and supervises training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory techniques, use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures.
• Supervises group of employees engaged in performance of technical and professional work, which vary from routine to complex laboratory tasks.
• May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.

Requirements

• Experience with flow cytometry and spectrometry.
• Animal experience, particularly in animal breeding, genotyping, and animal surgery.
• Proficiency in a variety of molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to PCR, qPCR, western blotting, RNA/DNA extraction, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and next generation sequencing.
• Experience with single-cell transcriptomic analyses is highly beneficial.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• PhD with major course work in the field of assignment: 5 years of research experience, including 2 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent.
• Master’s Degree with major course work in the field of assignment: 7 years of research experience, including 3 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent.
• Bachelor’s Degree with major course work in the field of assignment: 9 years of research experience, including 4 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage (100% coverage for preventive healthcare—no copay).
• Paid Time Off, available day one.
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit.
• Wellness programs.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer.