Research Engineering/Scientist Associate I Full-time

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate I

The Fenno Lab at the University of Texas at Austin develops genetic, viral, and neuromodulation technologies enabling programmable control of neural systems in vivo. Our research integrates systems neuroscience, synthetic biology, and bioengineering to create platforms for selectively accessing and manipulating neural circuits across neurology and psychiatry. The laboratory builds viral genome engineering and stimulation-based approaches that bridge fundamental neuroscience with emerging therapeutic technologies.

Initial assignment will be for one year. Subsequent renewal of employment will be based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.

The University of Texas at Austin offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time benefits eligible staff positions. More information here: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits

Purpose

This role supports molecular biology research in a viral engineering lab through bioinformatics-guided cloning, wet-lab techniques (bacterial work and plasmid preparation), tissue culture maintenance and transfection, and viral vector production with quality control. Responsibilities also include in vivo rodent experiments such as viral injections, nuclei preparation, and downstream genomic analyses.

Responsibilities

• Bioinformatics work: the research technician will work with a team to perform molecular bioinformatics and cloning.
• Wetlab work: the research technician will perform bacterial and plasmid preparation, tissue culture work, and produce viruses in the lab.
• Animals work: the research technician will perform viral injection, nuclei preparation, and genomic analysis in rodents.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience or Cell and Molecular Biology and two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and conducting experiments with CRISPR viral reagents
• Rodent stereotactic brain AAV injection proficiency
• Mouse husbandry experience
• Molecular cloning, plasmid preparation, quality control, and management
• Proficiency isolating and sorting nuclei from the mouse brain
• Working in a scientific team

Salary

$45,000

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around biohazards.
• May work around chemicals.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest