Job Posting Title:

Research Engineering/Scientist Associate III, Sauer Structural Biology Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Research Support

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Hiring Department:

Center for Biomedical Research Support

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Center for Biomedical Research Support (CBRS) is a collection of 10 service centers that operates under the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR) and broadly supports the research community on campus and externally. CBRS serves a central role across all of campus to provide access to cutting-edge technology, expert advice, and centralized services. CBRS is comprised of core facilities including Biomedical Imaging, Bioinformatics, Biological Mass Spectrometry, Biomedical Research Computing, Cryo-EM imaging, Genome Sequencing, Microscopy/Flow Cytometry and Mouse Genetic Engineering. In addition, CBRS provides laboratory support in the forms of stockrooms, electronics repair, and external services drop boxes.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:  

100% employer-paid basic medical coverage  

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation and sick time

Paid holidays

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

The Sauer Structural Biology Laboratory (SSBL) is a state-of-the-art electron microscopy (EM) facility with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Cryo Transmission Electron Microscopy capabilities. SSBL is seeking to hire a Research Engineering / Scientist Associate III to provide support to operate the TEMs in the facility, which include a FEI Titan Krios with a Biocontinuum GIF and a K3 direct detector, a Thermo-Fisher Glacios with a Falcon IV direct detector, and a JEOL 1400 Flash with a ClearView camera and Oxford Instruments Xplore detector.

Responsibilities

Assist in maintaining and coordinating service on the electron microscopes and ancillary equipment to ensure that the facility and all instruments are in top working condition for high-resolution structural studies.

Interface with users for training in sample preparation and data collection. Provide detailed user training on instruments, software, and specimen preparation. Assist/train users in advanced Electron Microscopy techniques and experiments.

Load samples, tune microscopes, and acquire high quality data for samples submitted to the center. Evaluate quality of data obtained by users and provide advice on strategies to improve data quality. Implement data collection strategies that will benefit our user community. Assist with data interpretation.

Assist in testing and optimizing new workflows and imaging conditions as applicable.

Provide support for managing and tracking bookings and training using our booking system (FBS). Provide support in the maintenance of accurate logs for microscope performance and usage.

Serve as a technical resource for other research staff.

Stay abreast of new developments in instrumentation, techniques, and methods related to techniques supported by the center.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in life or physical sciences, or in a field related to the work to be performed.

At least 2 years’ experience operating or maintaining high-end transmission electron microscopes, with at least 1 year of experience using cryo-TEM for imaging of biological samples

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for working in a team environment and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary user base. 

Strong commitment to building and maintaining a positive work environment. 

Ability to work independently or as a team member.

Strong critical thinking and troubleshooting skills. 

Ability to complete tasks thoroughly and accurately, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

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Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Over 3 years’ experience using cryo-TEM for imaging of biological samples and or maintaining high-end transmission electron microscopes.

Experience in the use and operation of FEI/ThermoFisher Scientific and JEOL electron microscopes.

Familiarity with SPA cryo-em workflows/equipment, with knowledge of cryo-ET and microED data collection and processing as a plus.

Experience using SerialEM.

Experience with training or assisting others on a variety of projects.

Salary Range

$60,000 + depending on qualifications 

Working Conditions

Personal protection equipment (furnished)

May work around chemical fumes

May work around standard office conditions

May work around biohazards

May work around chemicals

May work around electrical and mechanical hazards

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Use of manual dexterity

Climbing of stairs

Lifting and moving

Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines

Required Materials

Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

Resume

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.

Letter of interest

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.