Research Associate, Levi Lab

Why join Dr. Benjamin Levi's Lab at UT Southwestern?

The Levi Laboratory is located in the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern and lead by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Benjamin Levi. The lab mission is to improve the lives of people living with skin and musculoskeletal diseases through rigorous science and compassion. The lab consists of 1500 square feet state-of-the-art laboratory space equipped with equipment to facilitate experiments and research with tissue cultures, small animal surgeries, and molecular biology. All lab members receive leadership training and coaching from Dr. Levi and other senior level lab personnel. Besides working hard, the Levi Lab will step away from the bench to give back to the community.

Job Summary

The Levi Lab is looking for a Research Associate to join the team and is willing to commit to at least two years. The ideal candidate would perform functions that include animal colony maintenance. Responsible for maintenance of the mouse colony including breeding, timed breeding, collection of samples for genotyping, weaning, aging and sexing of pups, retiring of mice and colony record keeping. Routinely handle live mice to perform all colony management duties, including but not limited to injections, plug checks, post-operative care, and identification and aging of new litter. Performs more difficult scientific and medical research work in science areas 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.

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.

Laboratory Expectations

• Animal breeding, genotyping, handling, and surgery

• Molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to PCR, qPCR, western blotting, RNA/DNA extraction, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and next generation sequencing.

• Flow cytometry and mass spectrometry.

• Histology pipeline from tissue harvest to embedding, sectioning, staining, and confocal microscopy.

• Design and execute experiments to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes.

• Plan and develop standard operating protocols for experimental protocols.

• Review and analyze resulting research data.

• Revise techniques or approaches to work problems that are indicated as necessary by research data.

• May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.

• Maintain a respectful and inclusive laboratory environment.

• Maintain a clean and functional workspace.

• Analyze and interpret experimental data using relevant software and statistical methods.

• Stay current with advances in molecular biology research and contribute to the development of new methodologies and techniques.

• Prepare research findings for publication in scientific journals and present results at conferences and meetings, including weekly laboratory meetings and reading/writing clubs.

• Contribute to grant writing and fundraising efforts to support research activities.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to contribute molecular biology expertise to research projects and initiatives.

• Assist in the training and supervision of junior laboratory personnel, including technicians, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and personally participates in assigned scientific or medical research projects.

• 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.

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.