Job Description
Research Science Associate I/II - College of Sciences, Neuroscience Development & Regenerative Biology Location: San Antonio, TX
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 13602
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Org Marketing Statement The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in cybersecurity, health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation. With more than 35,000 students, it is the largest university in the San Antonio region. UTSA advances knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service, and with an intentional focus on career readiness the university produces more graduates for the workforce than any other institution in the region. It is a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property — for Texas, the nation and the world. UTSA has been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more online , on UTSA Today or on X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , Facebook , YouTube or LinkedIn .
In 2024, the UT System Board of Regents authorized UT System to begin integrating UTSA and UT Health San Antonio into one unified institution, establishing a world-class university that integrates academic, research, and clinical excellence to build a profoundly impactful university of the future. Driven by a vision for growth and impact, this merger will expand capacity to offer robust undergraduate and graduate programs, attract top-tier faculty and staff, develop innovative initiatives, and elevate transdisciplinary research to address the evolving needs of the region.
Posting End Date : Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM CDT on 06/18/2025. At the discretion of the hiring department, this position posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Salary Range : $31,200- $44,226 annualized, commensurate with education, experience, qualifications, and level hired.
Hours : up to 40 hours per week.
Level I: Non-exempt.
Level II: Exempt.
Required Application Materials :
- Resume is required.
- Cover Letter is preferred.
Essential Functions Job Summary Responsible for identifying pathways within the photoreceptors and RPE that can help prevent their degeneration, including those involved in metabolic adaptation, redox balance restoration, and protective stress responses in diseased and aging retinas, and generating data to complement dynamic models. Focus on retinal degeneration mechanisms, the goal is to identify potential paradigms to prevent or slow/delay degeneration. This position will help set-up and manage the lab in addition to assist in the planning and direction of research and to perform professional level neurosciences and scientific research assignments.
This position is funded for a period of one year beginning July 1, 2025 and renewable for up to two additional years based on performance and mutual interest. Responsibilities - Prepares specifications and oversees laboratory set-up and maintenance; writes and maintains up-to-date laboratory manual, protocols, experimental procedures, including animal welfare protocols; ensures efficient operations of the laboratory.
- Orders supplies, chemicals, and equipment for the laboratory and maintains up-to-date inventories of these items.
- Orders, maintains, and performs minor repairs on lab instrumentation.
- Responsible for laboratory animal care, bio-safety, and safe handling of chemicals and disposal of chemical and glass waste; ensures compliance with University and Federal policies and regulations related to animal care, bio-safety, hazardous waste, and others.
- Assist in the development, design, and planning for research experiments.
- Helps supervise, train, and instruct lab team members and trainees on lab techniques and research design and implementation; the use of equipment; lab safety; and experimental procedures, preparation, and execution.
- Helps arrange experiment schedule. Provides safety instruction for the laboratory.
- Demonstrate intellectual leadership on projects, reviewing literature, defining knowledge gaps, and assisting in directing research in consultation with the principal investigator of the lab.
- Act as a project manager for trainees/technician's projects to ensure timely delivery of expected products by each team member.
- Set-up laboratory, write and revise lab manual and experimental protocols, and install equipment.
- Attend trainings, meetings, seminars, and symposia in related fields of research.
- Presents papers and publishes results of research projects.
- Assist in preparation of grant and budget proposals.
- Assist in the preparation of project and grant reports.
- Deliver instructions on experimental procedures, lab safety, and equipment to team members and trainees.
- Update chemical, supply, and equipment inventories.
- Perform additional duties, as assigned.
Required Qualifications Level I
- Bachelor's degree in the field of assignment.
- One (1) year of related research experience.
Level II
- Master's Degree from an accredited institution in the field of assignment.
- One (1) year of related research experience.
Level I & II
- Knowledge of use and design of research equipment (with some knowledge of specialized research equipment preferred) as required by the field of assignment.
- Experience in retina tissue dissection and fixation, retinal frozen sectioning, retinal immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, imagining analysis, injections, ERGs and imaging on animals and analysis, retina histology.
- Considerable experience working with animals.
- Use and maintenance of chemical and experimental laboratory and inventories.
- Knowledge of sources of supplies relating to the laboratory experiments.
- Good personnel and organizational skills.
- This position requires the ability to maintain the security and integrity of UTSA and its infrastructure.
Preferred Qualifications - Advanced courses leading to a Ph.D. in the field of assignment.
- One or more years of related research experience.
- Some experience in laboratory management.
- Knowledge of scientific equipment used in related fields of research.
- Experience in lab organization, project management, paper writing, and grant writing.
- Experience in mouse models, retina histology and analysis, high resolution imaging approaches (e.g., confocal imaging) , ERGs, and IP injections.
- Able to prioritize a multifaceted workload and handle a variety of responsibilities in a calm and flexible manner.
- Experience supervising the work of technicians or research assistants.
- Strong inventory and time management skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
- Experience in laboratory supervision or laboratory instruction with University of Texas system.
Additional Information - UTSA is a tobacco free campus.
- This is a security sensitive position. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
- Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.
Working Conditions Working Environment:
- Laboratory environment.
- Exposure to potential occupational hazards including toxic, biological, and chemical hazards within certain laboratory spaces.
- Exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
- Exposure to biological hazards.
- Exposure to combustible materials.
- The ability to work safely with chemical disinfectants, handle some unpleasant elements, and tolerate normal odors/airborne particulate matter of a rodent facility is required.
- Ability to wear PPE including laboratory coat, disposable laboratory coat, face mask, eyes splash shield, face shield, eye protection, head cover, disposable gloves, sleeve covers, shoe covers, rubber boots, and N-95 respirator.
Physical Demands:
- Ability to push, pull, or lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
- Repetitive motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
- Reaching overhead, at or below shoulder level.
- Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.
This position will be primarily located
on campus . Travel and parking expenses are the employee's responsibility.
Equal Employment Opportunity As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. UTSA campuses are accessible to persons with disabilities.
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Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Traineeship, Flexible hours,