Research Associate, Neurology-Tsai Lab

Why join UT Southwestern?

UT Southwestern Medical Center is one of the 10 best large employers in the United States and among the top 5 of healthcare employers, according to the America’s Best Employers 2022 list compiled by Forbes.  UTSW is also ranked as the top healthcare employer for diversity in the US according to the America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2022 list compiled by Forbes and Statista; and we are the only healthcare institution listed among the top 20 employers nationally.

The Department of Neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center is a nationally recognized leader in the comprehensive management of neurological conditions.  Our vibrant department comprises more than 75 full-time faculty in 12 subspecialty sections, supporting a spectrum of complex and innovative approaches to neurological care, a broad range of novel research programs, and a panoply of educational opportunities for trainees.  The department offers access to the latest innovative treatments in one of the most rapidly advancing fields of medicine and features an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center and a Level-4 NEAC Epilepsy Center.  Through collaborations with the O’Donnell Brain Institute, the department is building state-of-the art facilities for drug and device testing and bringing current and new faculty together for collaborative research on brain disease therapy. 

Job Summary

The Peter Tsai Lab is seeking a Research Associate. The Tsai Lab is seeking an outstanding, organized, and motivated full-time Research Associate to develop in vivo physiological approaches.  The lab is broadly interested in how the neuronal wiring in the brain is formed and maintained, and how the wiring is altered in diseases. AND in attaining that information, whether leveraging and targeting those properties can result in benefit. The lab employs a variety of neuroanatomical, transgenetical, optogenetical, and physiological approaches to understand these mechanisms. The Tsai lab’s specific focus is on the cerebellum and cerebellar-regulated circuitry and their contributions to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric challenges. The position will involve performing neurophysiological experiments including mouse stereotaxic surgery and in vivo electrophysiology.

Training will be provided on all experimental techniques used in the research. A willingness to develop new opportunities, motivation, rigor, and curiosity are a must.

Department Expectations

·       Constructs, assembles, and operates laboratory equipment and apparatus.

·       Records and evaluates data obtained from work assignments for use in scientific papers.

·       Collaborates with supervisor or other research personnel in preparation of scientific papers for publication.

·       Reads literature and confers with supervisor concerning procedures and implementation.

·       Collects and organizes research data for project reports.

Experience and Education

·      Master’s degree with major coursework in field of assignment and three (3) years of laboratory experience including at least two years at level of Research Assistant II or equivalent. or

·       Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in field of assignment and four (4) years of laboratory experience including two years at level of Research Assistant II or equivalent.

Job Duties

·          Recommends and/or initiates new or modified procedures and techniques based upon latest developments in assigned field or analysis of research data.

·          Performs computer programming for accumulation and analysis of research data.

·          Designs, constructs, repairs, or modifies electronic and/or mechanical equipment or apparatus used in experiments and research projects.

·          Instructs medical students, graduate students, residents, or other laboratory personnel of lower grade with respect to techniques, procedures, and equipment utilized in research or experiments.

·          Assists principal investigator and other professional personnel in writing of reports and papers for publication.

·          May provide working supervision to employees of lower grade engaged in performance of variety of difficult and complex laboratory work tasks.

·          Performs other duties as assigned.

To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers, visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/

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

To learn more, please visit:  https://jobs.utsouthwestern.edu/why-work-here/diversity-inclusion