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Research Scientist Associate IV or V - College of Sciences, Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology

The University of Texas at San Antonio
United States, Texas, San Antonio
1 UTSA Circle (Show on map)
April 16, 2024


Research Scientist Associate IV or V - College of Sciences, Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology

Location: San Antonio, TX
Regular/Temporary: Temporary
Job ID: 11614
Full/Part Time: Full Time

Org Marketing Statement

The UTSA College of Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology invites qualified applicants to apply for a Research Scientist Associate IV or V. This position is for one year and is renewable for up to an additional two years based on performance and mutual interest.

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in cybersecurity, health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation. With more than 34,300 students, it is the largest university in the San Antonio region. UTSA advances knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service, and with an intentional focus on career readiness the university produces more graduates for the workforce than any other institution in the region. It is a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world. UTSA has been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more about UTSA , on or on , , or .

Job Summary

The Research Associate Scientist IV/V open position is for one year and renewable in future years (currently up to three), depending on the availability of funds, previous years of performance, and mutual interest. The Camacho research lab is expanding its work from dynamic mathematical and computational multi-scale models of cellular and molecular retina processes to include experimental work that will complement current retina degeneration research. Most projects will focus on retinal degeneration mechanisms and identifying pathways within the photoreceptors and RPE that can help prevent their degeneration, including those involved in metabolic adaptation, redox balance restoration, and protective stress responses in diseased and aging retinas, and generating data to complement dynamic models. The ultimate goal of this work is to identify potential paradigms to prevent, slow down, or delay degeneration.

Posting End Date: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 pm CT on 05/11/2024. At the discretion of the hiring department, this position posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Salary Range: Up to $59,560 annualized, commensurate with education, experience, qualifications, and level hired.

Hours: up to 40 hours per week, exempt.

Required Application Materials:
  • Resume is required.
  • Cover Letter describing research interest, strength, and previous accomplishments.
  • Contact information of 2-3 references that will be sending letters of recommendation.
  • Separately, 2-3 letters of recommendation are to be sent directly by letter writers to .


Essential Functions

We seek a qualified and committed Research Science Associate IV or V to help/plan, direct, and supervise in research, investigation, and other technical operations, as directed by Dr. Camacho, the principal investigator, and to manage the laboratory and provide advanced supervisory and technical skills for the set-up, oversight, and maintenance of the laboratory. Expertise will be in areas ranging from, but not limited to, retinal metabolism, redox systems, retinal development, photoreceptor cell biology, RPE biology, molecular biology, and mechanisms of retinal degeneration and regeneration. We seek individuals with extensive experience in retina in vitro and in vivo research.

Function: To plan, direct, and supervise in research, investigation, and other technical operation, as directed by principal investigator, and to provide advanced supervisory and technical skills for the set-up, management, oversight, and maintenance of the laboratory.

Scope: Responsible for assisting with the direction of a research program and for performing complex or unusual research assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures. Also responsible for the supervision of all aspects of the operations of the laboratory as directed by principal investigator, including developing protocols and teaching techniques to lab team members and research trainees, while maintaining thorough knowledge of safety regulations, and departmental/university regulations, policies, and procedures.

Typical:
  1. Prepares specifications and oversees laboratory set-up and maintenance; writes and maintains up-to-date laboratory manual, protocols, experimental procedures, including animal welfare protocols; ensures efficient operations of the laboratory.
  2. Orders supplies, chemicals, and equipment for the laboratory and maintains up-to-date inventories of these items.
  3. Orders, maintains, and performs minor repairs on lab instrumentation.
  4. Responsible for laboratory animal care, bio-safety, and safe handling of chemicals and disposal of chemical and glass waste; ensures compliance with University and Federal policies and regulations related to animal care, bio-safety, hazardous waste, and others.
  5. Develops and designs plans for research experiments.
  6. Supervises, trains, and instructs lab team members and trainees on lab techniques and research design and implementation; the use of equipment; lab safety; and experimental procedures, preparation, and execution. Helps arrange experiment schedule. Provides safety instructions for the laboratory.
  7. Writes investigation reports; coordinates lab and report preparation; and directs research.
  8. Supervise the preparation of project proposals.
  9. Demonstrate intellectual leadership on projects, review literature, define knowledge gaps, and dictate research direction in consultation with the principal investigator of the lab.
  10. Act as a project manager for trainees/technicians' projects to ensure timely delivery of expected products by each team member.
  11. Assist and oversee the completion of laboratory projects and cover projects with leadership gaps to ensure that the data are completed to the point of publication.
  12. Consults with and assists key lab research member in solving specific problems encountered in the project.
  13. Reviews progress and reports final results to the principal investigator of the lab.
  14. Perform additional duties, as assigned.

Periodic:
  1. Set up laboratory, write and revise lab manual and experimental protocols, and install equipment.
  2. Attend trainings, meetings, seminars, and symposia in related fields of research.
  3. Presents papers and publishes results of research projects.
  4. Assist in preparation of grant and budget proposals.
  5. Prepare project and grant reports.
  6. Deliver instructions on experimental procedures, lab safety, and equipment to team members and trainees.
  7. Update chemical, supply, and equipment inventories.

Required Education/Experience

Research Scientist Associate IV
  • Master's Degree from an accredited institution in the field of assignment.
  • Three years of related research experience.
  • Knowledge of use and design of specialized research equipment as required by the field of assignment.

Research Scientist Associate V
  • Ph.D. from an accredited institution with major coursework in the field of assignment.
  • Four years of related research experience.
  • Knowledge of use and design of specialized research equipment as required by the field of assignment.

Required Qualifications
  • Extensive experience in ocular in vitro and in vivo research, such as cell signaling studies, retina tissue dissection and fixation, retinal frozen sectioning, retinal immunohistochemistry, TUN EL assay, confocal microscopy, imagining analysis, intraocular injection, ERG and SD-OCT imaging on animals and analysis, ELISA, MSD assay, quantitative Western blot, co-IP, retina histology, cell isolation, RPE cell culture, cell migration assay, contraction assay, DNA and RNA isolation, genotyping, qPCR, and lipid pathway studies.
  • Considerable experience working with animals.
  • Use and maintenance of chemical and experimental laboratory.
  • Knowledge of sources of supplies relating to the laboratory experiments.
  • Good personnel and organizational skills.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Five or more years of related research experience.
  • One or more years of experience in laboratory supervision or laboratory instruction.
  • Knowledge of scientific equipment used in related fields of research.
  • Experience in lab organization, project management, paper writing, and grant writing.
  • Experience in mouse models, retina histology and analysis, animal surgeries, molecular biology,
  • proteomics, RNA-seq, retinal cell biology, HPLC analysis, and crystallography, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and related experimental techniques.
  • Experience with high resolution imaging approaches.
  • Experience with mouse genetic models of neural or retina development and diseases.
  • Experience leading teams to completion of publication.
  • Experience with successful grant applications.
  • Able to prioritize a multifaceted workload and handle a variety of responsibilities in a calm and flexible manner.
  • Strong computer skills including experience with bioinformatics analysis.
  • Analytical and problem-solving research skills.
  • Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
  • Experience in laboratory supervision or laboratory instruction with University of Texas System.


Additional Information
  • This position is for one year and it is renewable up to an additional two years based on performance and mutual interest. Possibility of renewal beyond three years will depend on the availability of additional funding, previous years of performance, and mutual interest.
  • UTSA is a tobacco free campus.
  • This is a security sensitive position. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
  • Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

Working Conditions
  • Usual laboratory or office conditions.
  • Sometimes requires working with hazardous equipment or materials.
  • May require travel off-campus and extended overnight stays.


This position will be primarily located on campus. Travel and parking expenses are the employee's responsibility.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. UTSA campuses are accessible to persons with disabilities.

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