Research Scientist-Pediatric Surgery

Research Associate, Pediatric Surgery

Why UT Southwestern?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued patients and employees. With over 20,000 employees, we are committed to continuing our growth with the best professionals in the healthcare industry. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you’ll discover teamwork, professionalism, and consistent opportunities for growth.

The Corbitt Lab has a job opening for a Research Scientist in the Department of Surgery. Our work focuses primarily on the role of genes in pediatric liver disease, namely Biliary Atresia. One of the most interesting things about biliary atresia is the characteristic rapidly progressive liver fibrosis, which makes this disease the leading indication for pediatric liver transplantation. With a patient-centered focus, our work aims to model genetic perturbations observed in patients with cholestatic liver disease to decode the pathophysiology. Using genetically modified mice, we can model biliary atresia and neonatal liver fibrosis to get to the crux of the disease and molecular pathways that contribute to disease pathogenesis. We have successfully engineered the first genetic model of syndromic biliary atresia in mice by knocking out the gene Pkd1l1. We have also innovated a new noninvasive diagnostic test for cholestatic infants on the clinical side. We are particularly interested in the role of primary cilia and ciliary genes like Pkd1l1 in pediatric liver disease. Job Summary The research scientist will support ongoing bench work using transgenic animal models related to biliary atresia and neonatal sclerosing cholangitis and pediatric hepatobiliary tissue.

The ideal candidate should be meticulous and have a strong collaborative approach to research. Hands on training will be provided for animal surgery and the technical aspect of working with small rodent extrahepatic bile ducts, however experience working with mice, confocal microscopy, and tissue sectioning is highly preferred. Necessary techniques for this role include tissue culture, animal handling, animal injections, serum collection, tissue harvesting, histological processing, immunofluorescence, confocal imaging, bulk RNA sequencing, and conceptual understanding of workflow for spatial transcriptomics. Proficiency with both GraphPad/Prism and Microsoft office for data analysis and creation of publication quality figures is of importance.

Experience and Education 

• Ph.D. degree with major coursework in field of assignment and five (5) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least two (2) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent.
• Master’s degree with major coursework in field of assignment and seven (7) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least three (3) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent.
• Bachelor\s degree with major coursework in field of assignment and nine (9) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least four (4) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent.

Job Duties

• 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 and assigns and reviews work of subordinates.
• Plans experimental protocols.
• Reviews and analyzes resulting research data.
• Revises techniques or approaches to work problems as indicated necessary by research data.
• Compiles, writes, and submits research results to supervisor.
• Prepares or assists in preparation of research papers, reports, and abstracts for publication as one of co-authors.
• 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.
• May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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.