Senior Research Scientist - Integrative Biology and Pharmacology

UTHealth Houston•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology studies cell biology, physiology, and pharmacology of cell regulation and communication. Research themes include membrane signaling, intracellular and metabolic signaling, cell-cell interactions, and computational, structural, and systems approaches to signaling networks. The Senior Research Scientist plans, oversees, and directs research projects and provides advanced scientific and technical expertise for designing, conducting, and reporting research. The role involves preparing human or rat dorsal root ganglion neurons for culture, recording electrophysiological activity from cultured neurons, overseeing collection of related behavioral data from rats, and optimizing and using machine learning and AI tools to analyze electrophysiological and behavioral data. Periodically, the scientist conducts rat surgeries to produce chronic hyperactivity in primary sensory neurons for experiments correlating behavioral and cellular alterations. The position designs and interprets complex experiments, evaluates data, supports publication and dissemination of research findings, assesses project feasibility, develops research methodologies, and formulates new techniques. It also includes preparing grant applications under the principal investigator’s direction, maintaining lab equipment and safety, potentially leading lab meetings and mentoring junior lab members, and managing departmental human resources activities. A doctorate and at least four years of experience in related research environments, with verifiable publications in the research field, are required. Employees must permanently reside and work in Texas. This is a security-sensitive position.

Requirements

Doctorate degree.
At least 4 years of experience in related research environments.
Verifiable publications within the field of the research project.
Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiological data and pain- and anxiety-related behavioral data using statistical, machine learning, and AI tools.
Experience conducting, or a strong interest in learning, rodent surgical procedures, including a rat spinal cord injury model and rat hind paw postsurgical pain model.
Ability to dissect human and rodent dorsal root ganglia and dissociate, culture, and record from sensory neurons using whole-cell patch methods.
Must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
Ability to meet the security and integrity requirements for a security-sensitive position.

Nice To Haves

Experience in immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and confocal or fluorescence microscopy; useful but not required.

Responsibilities

Prepare human or rat dorsal root ganglion neurons for culture.
Record electrophysiological activity from cultured neurons.
Oversee collection of related behavioral data from rats.
Optimize and use machine learning and AI tools to analyze electrophysiological and behavioral data.
Periodically conduct surgeries on rats to produce chronic hyperactivity in primary sensory neurons for experiments correlating behavioral and cellular alterations.
Plan, oversee, and direct research projects and provide scientific and technical expertise for designing, conducting, and reporting research.
Design, execute, and interpret complex scientific experiments using advanced equipment and complex techniques and procedures.
Evaluate and interpret data and provide results to support publication; communicate findings through research papers, presentations, and exchanges with faculty and other scientists.
Assess the feasibility and significance of research projects, including staff, time, and resource needs; develop procedures and research methodologies when feasible.
Formulate and implement research techniques to carry out projects efficiently and meet goals; formulate projects or identify problems in partnership with stakeholders.
Prepare grant applications under the direction of the principal investigator.
Stay current with research progress and technological advances and review literature to maintain and upgrade research skills.
Maintain lab equipment, assist with necessary repairs, promote a safe laboratory environment, and ensure direct reports follow safety procedures and attend introductory safety training.
May lead lab meetings and mentor junior lab members, including staff, students, and postdocs.
Manage departmental human resources activities related to recruiting, selection, hiring, termination, training, professional development, mentoring, counseling, performance evaluations, and salary planning.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
Generous time off, including holidays, a preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time, totaling approximately 37–38 days per year.
Vacation accrual increases with length of service.
Longevity pay through monthly payments after two years of service.
Retirement/pension plan.
Free financial and legal counseling.
Free mental health counseling services.
Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
Employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, and cell phones.
Resources for child and elder care.