Research Assistant I, Orthopaedic Surgery, Hernandez Lab
Location: Dallas, TX
Location Type: On-site
Location Type: On-site
Job Number: 974242
Category: Research & Laboratory
23874449
Responsibilities
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 provide responsible and skilled technical assistance in performing assignments requiring experience and good knowledge of techniques and practices related to particular field of medical and scientific research.
The Dr. Hernandez Lab explores structural, cellular, and mechanobiological aspects of sexual dimorphism and sex hormones in cartilage health and osteoarthritis. Working in close collaboration with engineers and orthopedic surgeons, our research examines how sex-specific differences in the knee joint may contribute to higher incidence and severity of osteoarthritis in women later in life. Our research team also investigates the role hormones play in the production of cartilage extracellular and pericellular matrices throughout the lifespan. We use atomic force microscopy to measure the nanomechanical properties of cells and tissues, and bioreactors to investigate chondrocyte mechanotransduction.
We are searching for a Research Assistant I. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in cell culture, confocal microscopy, and molecular biology, and have excellent communication skills. Additionally, preferred skills are histology, tissue sectioning, and knowledge or experience working in bioengineering. Knowledge in tissue mechanics and musculoskeletal biology is a plus.
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 and no experience required or
Bachelor’s Degree with major coursework in field of assignment or
Completion of 2 years of college with emphasis in coursework in field of assignment or
High School Diploma or GED equivalent
- Experience
1 year Research experience at level of Research Technician or equivalent with Bachelor’s degree or
4 years Research experience including two years at level of Research Technician or equivalent with 2 years of college or
6 years Research experience with High School Diploma or GED equivalent including
2 years at level of Research Technician or equivalent.
JOB DUTIES
- Performs more difficult scientific and medical research work in science area such as biology, chemistry, physics, or other related scientific field.
- 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.
- May plan for, and provide working supervision to, work of Research Technicians or other laboratory personnel of lower grade.
- 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.
EEO
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.
Benefits
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!
Working at UTSW
Curiosity Pursued With Rigor
Explore the full range of opportunities we offer within our research areas and labs.
If you want a larger canvas for exploration and discovery, look no further. We have more than 500 labs on campus. Here are just a few of the research investigations you’ll find underway at UT Southwestern Medical Center:
- Use of AI to identify cancer cells
- How Alzheimer’s proteins create dysfunction in fat cells
- A global initiative to map human brain cells
- Use of cryo-electron microscopy to study the atomic structure of key molecules
Work here, and you’ll help us create and conduct translational bench-to-bedside research that quickly moves basic discoveries into treatments that directly benefit patients. Here’s an example: We’ve found that small artificial molecules called peptoids show promise as both diagnostic tools and treatments for various types of cancer. Peptoids can bind to cancerous cells more tightly than normal cells. So our researchers are looking at ways to combine peptoids with anti-cancer drugs to target cancer cells more specifically.
At UT Southwestern, you can be part of our next breakthrough.
Opportunities for Laboratory & Medical Technologists
As a progressive, innovation-driven medical center, UT Southwestern relies heavily on our lab techs, medical techs, histotechnologists, and cytotechnologists to play a key role in the diagnosis and care planning of patients.
Our broad spectrum of services will present you with opportunities to work across a range of dynamic lab settings. You’ll have abundant tools, training, and support to facilitate your success and professional growth.
For each member of this diverse and collaborative team, we provide excellent benefits, including PTO and pension and retirement plans. When you consider Dallas’ relatively low cost of living and high quality of life, UT Southwestern emerges as your best option for a fulfilling career.
Bringing the Future into Focus
There are many ways to contribute here. As we continue to explore new solutions that will save lives and enhance quality of life for millions, we’re committed to providing rigorous scientific training in both basic and clinical research to scholars across the Medical Center and community. You can take advantage or help support a number of robust programs, such as:
- Disease-Oriented Clinical Scholars
- Endowed Scholars
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
- Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP)
- Quantitative and Physical Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research
Fellowship Program (QP-SURF)
- Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern (STARS)
- Endowed Scholars
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)
- UT Dallas Green Fellows
Supporting a Culture of Clinical Trials
Our research teams help plan, conduct, fund, administer, and report on clinical trials across the broad spectrum of health conditions and diseases. More than 1,000 trials are currently underway, including these areas of medicine:
- 268 in Cancer(STARS)
- 118 in Neurology
- 79 in Children’s Health
- 69 in Digestive Systems & Liver Disease
- 65 in Heart and Vascular
- 64 in Lung Disease & Asthma
- 51 in Blood Disorders
Let’s Get Started
Employee Testimonials
Traci Holmes
Traci Holmes
Research Programs Manager
Research Programs Manager
I love working at UT Southwestern Medical Center because it means being part of a team that is striving to enhance the lives of others through education, research, and clinical care.
Sangita Sethuram
Sangita Sethuram
Research Scientist
Research Scientist
Our team’s cutting-edge research helps us get one step closer each day to our mission of promoting health and a healthy society. That is the reason I come to work every single day.
Gerald Strickland
Gerald Strickland
Psychological Associate I
Psychological Associate I
I love my job because the people I work with are very professional, kind, and understanding.
