Job Summary

The Division of Infectious Diseases is looking for a Research Associate to join Dr. Mamta Jain’s Lab. The Research Associate will handle, process, store, and organize biospecimen samples in our wet lab. This position seeks a candidate with wet lab research experience. The Research Associate will work under the direction of an Principal Investigator (PI) with general supervision, to manage processing, storage, shipment, documentation, and organization of biospecimens for clinical trials/studies. They will provide support for clinical trials under the direction of the PI and clinical research manager. This candidate will assist the clinical research manager and unit admin as well as oversee lab processing conducted by the lab’s research assistants and coordinators.

Preferred Experience

·       Major coursework in field of assignment preferred in biology, microbiology or immunology.

·       Wet lab experience must include working in a biosafety cabinet, pipetting, centrifuging, freezing/thawing samples, ability to work with multiple samples at once.

·       Prior lab experience must also include keeping a lab notebook or documenting labs performed in appropriate logs/requisition forms.

Laboratory Expectations

·       Prepare laboratory specimens, standard reagents and appropriate media for processing blood samples.

·       Perform aliquoting, centrifuging, freezing/thawing samples, familiarity with biosafety cabinets and sterile technique.

·       Prepare, handle, organize and ship biospecimens.

·       Knowledgeable in standard laboratory equipment.

·       Performs equipment inspection as necessary per regulatory and facility guidelines.

·       Maintain and document biospecimen logs, requisition forms and shipping manifests.

·       Train other lab members on appropriate laboratory and protocol-specific techniques as necessary.

·       Quality check lab personnel assisting in biospecimen collecting and processing and mentor them as necessary.

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/

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.