Research Technician (Casual) - Integrative Biology and Pharmacology

Research Technician

The Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology (IBP) is interested in the cell biology, physiology and pharmacology of cell regulation and communication. Our major research themes include the molecular mechanisms and spatiotemporal dynamics of membrane signaling, intracellular and metabolic signaling, the biology and physiology of cell-cell interactions, and the use of computational, structural and systems approaches to decipher signaling networks.

We are looking for a casual status research technician to aid in basic laboratory maintenance activities. These duties will primarily include making fly food to maintain our fly stocks and experiments, cleaning and sterilizing laboratory glassware/instruments, ordering supplies, and maintaining a clean, tidy, and safe laboratory space.

Duties may also include preparing solutions for routine experiments, carrying out basic laboratory tests, and maintaining reference materials/laboratory notebooks, if necessary.

This position is located with our department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology. It is a Non Exempt, Casual status position with No benefits.

The role is not to exceed 19.5 hours per week.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

The Research Technician provides routine, entry-level technical assistance in carrying out assigned duties of laboratory activities.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Washes dries and sterilizes laboratory glassware and instruments. Distributes clean glassware to appropriate laboratories. May support equipment in dry lab environments.
• Performs custodial laboratory duties and maintains a safe laboratory environment and follows safety procedures.
• May prepare lab solutions for simple and more complex biochemical experiments and laboratory tests. May perform duties using autoclave machine, pipet washer, centrifuge, microscope, and ultraviolent light microscope with fluorescent detachments.
• Performs autoclaving and disposal of biohazardous materials.
• Conducts various routine tests in a research laboratory setting.
• Maintains reference materials and laboratory notebooks.
• Under the direction of the supervisor, orders basic laboratory supplies and maintains equipment.
• May demonstrate the safe and proper use of scientific laboratory equipment.
• May collect lab coats daily for laundry, complete laundry slips with the number of submitted coats, and return the lab coats to their proper labs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent required

Minimum Experience:

6 months of experience in research lab preferred

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.