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 employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you’ll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY
Works under general direction to either plan, coordinate, supervise, and participate in assigned research projects or perform more complex research assignments requiring considerable experience and thorough knowledge of techniques and practices related to particular field of medical or scientific research.

The Heyward Nutritional and Behavioral Epigenetics laboratory in the Center for Hypothalamic Research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX is recruiting for a Research Assistant to aid with studying the transcriptional and epigenomic regulation of appetite. 

We investigate neuroepigenetic mechanisms regulating synaptic plasticity in the hypothalamus, their role in maintaining body weight set-point, and how their dysregulation contributes to diet-induced obesity, weight-regain, and aging-related impairments in appetite. We employ low-input cell-type specific, and single-cell multiomic, genome-wide assessments of gene expression, epigenetic modifications, chromatin accessibility, and transcription factor DNA binding dynamics, as well as mouse genetic and epigenome engineering tools, in vitro and in vivo assessments of transcription factor activation, and animal behavioral assessments. This position will be advised by Dr. Frankie Heyward and will have the opportunity to participate in lab and journal club meetings. 

In addition to performing experiments, the Research Assistant II will also be responsible for mouse colony management and general lab management. Efficient organizational skills, attention to detail, accurate record keeping, and effective communication skills are essential. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Assisting in stereotaxic delivery and retro-orbital injections of viral constructs to the brain for over-expression and knockdown of particular transcription factors (TFs). Conducting confocal imaging of TFs in the brain during different metabolic conditions. Mouse colony management. Conducting behavioral assessments in mice. Keeping and maintaining accurate written and database records of all animal activity. Updating animal protocols. Maintaining laboratory equipment. Ordering and monitoring lab supplies. Tracking laboratory expenditures and encumbrances, paying invoices, reconciling accounts, and ensuring appropriate use of funds.

Strong candidates will have ONE of the following skills:
•    Mouse handling, drug administration, perfusion, husbandry and genotyping, colony maintenance
•    Ordering, maintaining an item inventory, and general lab management skills

Strong candidates will ALSO have TWO of the following skills:
•    Immunofluorescent confocal imaging and analysis
•    Flow cytometry and flowjo-based analysis
•    Cell culture of neuronal lines, and/or iPSCs/ESCs differentiation/reprogramming

Candidates highly motivated to pursue a career in STEM or Medicine and interested in conducting more than 2 years of mentored research should apply. 

BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required

• Education
  Master’s Degree with major coursework in field of assignment or
  Bachelor’s Degree with major coursework in field of assignment or
  Completion of 2 years of college or specialized training in histology, serology, medical technology, etc. or
  High School graduate including courses in basic sciences

• Experience
  1 year of experience as Research Assistant I or equivalent with Master’s degree or
  2 years of experience including one (1) year as Research Assistant I or equivalent with Bachelor’s degree or
  5 years of experience, including one (1) year as Research Assistant I or equivalent with two years of college or
  7 years of experience, including one (1) year as Research Assistant I or equivalent with High School Diploma.

JOB DUTIES

• Plans, coordinates, and supervises assigned research projects, which may be limited as segment of larger project, exercising responsibility for project performance and accountability for progress; and/or personally performs advanced scientific and medical research work, suggesting modifications to, or improvements in, design of research projects, presenting original ideas for follow-up studies, and recommending utilization of new or revised techniques and procedures to obtain desired results.
• Constructs, assembles, and operates experimental or other special designed laboratory apparatus and equipment.
• Assembles and analyzes research data.
• Assists in preparation of material for reports or publication.
• May supervise group of Research Technicians and/or Research Assistants of lower grade, making work assignments, advising on work procedures, and reviewing work in process and upon completion.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

EEO Statement
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.