Research Assistant-Senior

Join a federally funded clinical and translational research laboratory conducting active human subjects research across a portfolio that spans immune resilience, biological aging, military performance, infection, asthma, exercise physiology, heat stress, and trauma. The laboratory’s work generates data that supports ongoing scientific investigation and published research in multispecialty journals including Nature Communications and Aging Cell. The Research Assistant will contribute directly to the day-to-day execution of these programs.

This position may be filled at multiple education and training levels, including candidates with a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related scientific field and candidates with a master’s degree. The specific appointment will be calibrated to the candidate’s background and the laboratory’s current scientific priorities.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory personnel, the Research Assistant will carry out the operational tasks that support the laboratory’s active research initiatives. Core responsibilities include participant recruitment, scheduling and preparing study visits, assisting with the conduct of study procedures under supervision, collecting and documenting participant information, supporting biospecimen handling and labeling, maintaining accurate study records, and contributing to the general operational flow of the laboratory’s clinical and translational research work.

The role is positioned as a foundational contributor to the laboratory’s research operations. The successful candidate will work alongside the Principal Investigator, co-investigators, postdoctoral fellows, research coordinators, and clinical collaborators across UT Health San Antonio and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The position offers substantive engagement with the methodology, operational discipline, and interdisciplinary environment of federally funded clinical and translational research.

• The lab is currently engaged in exciting, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary projects focused on infection, aging, asthma, and exercise, and job duties are aligned with these research initiatives.

• Assists in conducting a variety of scientific experiments and research projects of high complexity, collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data.

• Assists investigator or higher level technician with research studies, experiments and assays including collection of data, preparation of solutions and set-up and maintenance of equipment.

• Performs database queries of historical data and organization of data into spreadsheet for use in research studies.

• Supervises other Research Assistants by maintaining an orderly and efficient research environment.

• Assists in the inventory of all reagents, supplies, and other materials in the research area.

• Ensures proper maintenance of equipment.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• Attention to detail by achieving thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
• Ability to monitor important and complex projects concurrently within a research environment or laboratory schedule.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, to include writing and preparing memorandums, letters, and other official correspondence.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Lotus Notes/other email software.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a basic science or related field is required.

Experience:

Two (2) years of experience is required.