Research Scientist, Cancer Biology, Levi Lab

UT Southwestern Medical Center•Dallas, TX

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The Levi laboratory in the Division of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery in the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern has an opening for a Research Scientist. The lab's mission is to improve the lives of people living with skin and musculoskeletal injuries and diseases through rigorous science and compassion. Current projects focus on the molecular biology behind tissue fibrosis and the repair and regeneration process in tendon, muscle, and bone, integrating multiomics-based approaches with investigations of musculoskeletal development, homeostasis, repair, and regeneration. The laboratory uses transgenic animal models combined with bioinformatic approaches to understand cell-cell interactions within the stem cell niche and how divergent signaling mechanisms may guide future therapeutic strategies for damaged tissue. The Research Scientist will specifically focus on Osteosarcoma and is expected to commit to at least two years, supporting ongoing bench and animal work related to tendon injury/fibrosis, muscle injury/fibrosis, or bone/tendon/muscle regeneration. Duties include routine molecular bench work, animal handling, injections, surgeries, sample collection, and downstream processing such as histology, immunofluorescent stain and confocal imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, single cell, and bulk RNA sequencing under the supervision of the PI.

Requirements

PhD with major course work in the field of assignment and 5 years of research experience in the field of assignment, including 2 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent.
OR Master's Degree with major course work in the field of assignment and 7 years of research experience in the field of assignment, including 3 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent.
OR Bachelor's Degree with major course work in the field of assignment and 9 years of research experience in the field of assignment, including 4 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent.
Willingness to commit to at least two years.

Nice To Haves

Able to utilize a variety of molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to PCR, qPCR, western blotting, RNA/DNA extraction, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and next generation sequencing.
Experience with animal handling, animal breeding, genotyping, and animal surgery.
Experience with single-cell transcriptomic analyses.
Experience with histology pipeline from tissue harvest to embedding, sectioning, staining, and confocal microscopy.
Experience with flow cytometry and mass spectrometry.
Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.
Able to perform data analysis and interpretation using bioinformatics tools, statistical methods, and relevant software packages.

Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, directs, and participates in work of smaller research project or major unit of large research project in field of specialization.
Support ongoing bench and animal work within the lab related to tendon injury/fibrosis, muscle injury/fibrosis or bone/tendon/muscle regeneration.
Perform routine molecular bench work.
Utilize animal models (animal handling, injections, surgeries, and sample collection).
Perform downstream processing (histology, immunofluorescent stain and confocal imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, single cell and bulk RNA sequencing).
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 project.
Selects or assists in selection of key research personnel.
Determines specific goals or objectives to be attained.
Assigns and reviews work of subordinates.
Plans experimental protocols.
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.
Supervises group of employees of lower grade engaged in performance of technical and professional work, which vary from routine to complex laboratory work tasks.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive and comprehensive benefits package.
PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage.
100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay.
Paid Time Off, available day one.
Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
Paid Parental Leave Benefit.
Wellness programs.
Tuition Reimbursement.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer.
Healthcare.
Paid holidays.
On-site childcare.
Wage, merit increases.