Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant (Molecular)

Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Assistant (Molecular)\-

Hiring Department:

Department of Integrative Biology\-

Position Open To:

All Applicants\-

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40\-

FLSA Status:

Non\-Exempt\-

Earliest Start Date:

May 01, 2026\-

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Apr 30, 2028\-

Location:

BRACKENRIDGE FIELD LAB\-

Job Details:

General Notes

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Position ends one year (12 months) from initial hire date. Possibility of one\-year renewals depending on job performance and grant funding.

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full\-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

This position is security sensitive; criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background checks.

Purpose

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The Invasive Ecology Lab at UT Austin’s Brackenridge Field Laboratory is looking to recruit a motivated and resourceful technician to perform skilled laboratory functions including molecular and chemical analyses and experiments with live insects, plants and microbes needed to support the invasive species research program.

Responsibilities

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• Perform molecular diagnostics, DNA and RNA extractions, sanger sequencing, primer designs, PCR optimization, biochemical assays and specimen preparation. Organize, align and analyze sequence data using software such as Geneious and Blast. Coordinate closely and assist Res Scientists and Postdoc's with relevant molecular and microbial tasks and experiments. Assist with growing plants, rearing herbivorous insects, and plating microbes.
• Perform administrative activities. Assist with administrative tasks, workflow planning, data entry, materials and equipment supplies and purchases, chemical inventory. Participate in lab meetings. Maintain records and databases on server. Write protocols and lab manual updates. Organize and curate biological samples.
• Help improve lab processes, efficiency and safety. Perform quality and safety inspections to meet EHS requirements. Assist in lab maintenance, cleaning and materials preparation. Train undergraduate students in basic molecular techniques.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

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Bachelor degree (BS) in molecular biology or related field. Experience with molecular biology techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

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• Strong background in molecular ecology applied to insect\-parasite\-microbial or plant\-fungal systems.
• Experience with molecular diagnostics, DNA and RNA extractions, sanger sequencing, sequence alignment, library prep for NextGen sequencing, primer designs, PCR optimization, biochemical assays.
• Understanding of the principles of population genetics, phylogenetics and microbial community studies.
• Lab experience including culturing and identification of microorganisms, microscopy, dissections of plant and insect tissues, specimen preparation for molecular assays.
• Attention to detail on repetitive tasks.
• Lab safety awareness and commitment to safety.
• Experience with data management and biostatistics.
• Demonstrated ability to perform as a member of a dynamic research team.
• Excellent communication skills: listening, written and verbal.
• Self\-motivated and goal\-oriented mindset.
• Effective problem\-solving skills in a dynamic environment.

Salary Range

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$38,000 \+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

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• Lifting and moving
• Exposure to insect bites/stings
• May require working with hazardous equipment or materials
• May work around chemical fumes
• Field trips may be required to collect samples with exposure to all weather conditions

Work Shift

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• Laboratory work generally adheres to a regular work schedule; however, fieldwork may necessitate overnight travel to remote locations in Texas and outdoor activities throughout the year. Both experimental protocols and fieldwork can involve irregular hours, including occasional weekend, after\-hours, and holidays.

Required Materials

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• A cover letter explaining how your skills and experience match the job requirements
• Resume/CV
• Name and contact information of three (3\) references; 1 must be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi\-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log\-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University\-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I\-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E\-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E\-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015\. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E\-Verify is 854197\. For more information about E\-Verify, please see the following:

• E\-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) \[PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) \[PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) \[PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP\-3031\.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2\.206, Austin, Texas 78701\.