Research Scientist, Surgery

UT Southwestern Medical Center • Dallas, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Levi laboratory in the Division of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery in the Department of Surgery has an opening for a Research Scientist with expertise in Immunology and/ or Musculoskeletal Biology. The Levi 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 in the Levi laboratory are related to the molecular biology behind tissue fibrosis and the repair and regeneration process in tendon, muscle, and bone. The laboratory integrates multiomics-based approaches with investigations of musculoskeletal development, homeostasis, repair, and regeneration. The laboratory uses transgenic animal models combined with bioinformatic approaches to understand the cell-cell interactions that occur within the stem cell niche under physiological conditions and strives to understand how these divergent signaling mechanisms may guide future therapeutic strategies to promote faithful repair of damaged tissue.
The Research Scientist will work under general direction to support the long-term research goals of the PI, perform sophisticated procedures to meet project needs by applying high-quality research methods and will improve existing ones as needed.

Requirements

• PhD with major course work in the field of assignment or Master's Degree with major course work in the field of assignment or Bachelor's Degree with major course work in the field of assignment
• 5 years of research experience in the field of assignment with PhD including 2 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent or 7 years of research experience in the field of assignment with Master's degree including 3 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent or 9 years of research experience in the field of assignment with Bachelor's degree including 4 years Level of Senior Research Associate or its equivalent.
• Experience with flow cytometry and spectrometry.
• Animal experience, with particular emphasis on animal breeding, genotyping, and animal surgery is needed.
• Ability 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.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in Immunology and/or Musculoskeletal Biology.
• Experience with single-cell transcriptomic analyses would be highly beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, directs, and participates in work of smaller research project or major unit of large research project in field of specialization for which incumbent is particularly qualified in terms of extensive training and/or experience.
• Participates in experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
• Carries out routine molecular bench work combined with the use of animal models (animal handling, injections, surgeries, sample collection) as well as downstream processing (histology, immunofluorescent stain and confocal imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, single cell and bulk RNA sequencing) under supervision of the PI.
• Histology, immunofluorescent stain and confocal imaging, flow cytometry, and work with cell cultures and single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing
• Supervises laboratory personnel including students, technicians, and advanced degree holders in research techniques and protocols.
• Develops and/or advises on the development of new approaches for achieving research goals.
• Helps prepare data for, and assists with, writing/editing grants and manuscripts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• 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.
• Reviews and analyzes resulting research data.
• Revises techniques or approaches to work problems as indicated necessary by research data.
• 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.
• May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100%25 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
• PTO
• paid holidays
• on-site childcare
• wage, merit increases

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree