Research Scientist - Neurology (Stroke)

Texas Medical Center-Houston, Texas Category Research Job Id 250000IT On-Site
JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:

The BRAINS Research Laboratory (Brain, Rejuvenation, Aging, Inflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Stroke) at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Houston is seeking a Research Scientist with a strong interest in stroke, vascular dementia, and neurocardiology.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate should have a PhD with:

  • A strong background in neurology and behavioral sciences.
  • Excellent work ethic, critical thinking abilities, and organizational skills.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities:

  • Plan, supervise, and direct research investigations and technical operations.
  • Provide technical expertise to support the design, implementation, and analysis of research procedures.
  • Assist investigators in conducting and advancing research projects.

Position Key Accountabilities:

  1. Project Feasibility & Planning
    • Evaluate the feasibility of potential research projects, ensuring significant impact.
    • Assess project requirements in terms of staff, time, and resources.
  2. Research Design & Execution
    • Plan and conduct quantitative and qualitative research across various biomedical and scientific disciplines.
    • Identify research problems through literature reviews and discussions with investigators.
    • Develop and refine experimental procedures to address key research questions.
  3. Experimental Techniques & Data Analysis
    • Perform complex experimental procedures, including:
      • Rodent cognitive behavior testing and analysis
      • Animal injections, oral gavages, colony management and rodent surgeries
      • PCR, flow cytometry, ELISA and western blot
      • Rodent EKG and echocardiogram
      • Immunohistochemistry, and microscopy
    • Analyze experimental data, prepare figures, and contribute to research publications.
  4. Lab Management & Safety
    • Maintain lab equipment, oversee necessary repairs, and ensure a safe laboratory environment.
    • Ensure compliance with safety protocols and facilitate training for lab personnel.\
    • Inventory of samples and lab supplies
  5. Team Leadership & Mentorship
    • Provide guidance and direction to research staff.
    • Lead projects and activities, fostering a collaborative research environment.
  6. Other Duties
    • Perform additional tasks as assigned.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic research environment focused on advancing knowledge in stroke, vascular dementia, and neurocardiology.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

  • 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
  • Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
  • The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
  • Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
  • Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

  • Free financial and legal counseling 
  • Free mental health counseling services 
  • Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
  • Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
  • Resources for child and elder care 
  • Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Plans, supervises, and directs research, investigation, or other technical operations. Provides technical expertise to facilitate the design, implementation, and analysis of procedures, techniques, and results, which enables investigators to conduct research projects.

Position Key Accountabilities:

  1. Determines feasibility of possible projects to ensure results will have a significant impact. Determines project feasibility in terms of staff, time, and resources.  
  2. Plans and performs quantitative and qualitative research procedures in various areas of biology, chemistry, physics, and other biomedical, dental, or related scientific areas. Identifies the problem through contact with other researchers, practicing physicians, or literature searches. Formulates a problem or project to research. Designs procedures to solve the problem.  
  3. Conducts experiments using advanced equipment and applying complex techniques. Procedures may include tissue culture, protein purification, enzyme purification, enzyme assays, membrane protein purification, monoclonal antibody analysis, cytogenic analysis, gel electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis, immunofluorescent method, radioimmunoassays, biometry, biofeedback, neurotransmitter analysis, biospectrometry, microtomy, liquid, gas and thin layer chromatography, microspectrophotometry, tissue processing, tissue staining, behavioral testing, anesthetic dosage, neurohistochemistry, animal surgery, immunochemistry, gel electrophoresis, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing, electron microscopy, and biophysical assays and measurements.
  4. Designs experimental procedures, which may involve examining new techniques, that may improve existing analysis and provide additional capabilities.
  5. Evaluates the data from the analysis.  
  6. Presents results in a written paper for publication, in a presentation at a meeting, or through personal contact with faculty members and other researchers.   
  7. Maintains lab equipment, assists in necessary repairs, and promotes a safe laboratory environment. Ensures direct reports follow safety procedures and attends basic safety training courses.
  8. Provides work direction and guidance to personnel within department. May lead projects and activities.
  9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

None.

Minimum Education:

Doctorate Degree.

Minimum Experience:

Two (2) years of experience in a related research environment and have verifiable publications within the field of the research project. 

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  
This position may include work involving potentially hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive agents.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.


If you are looking for a great healthcare career in Houston, visit http://go.uth.edu/careers!

UTHealth Houston Benefits

UTHealth Houston offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. For more information on our benefits programs please refer to our benefits page. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

UTHealth Houston is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law or university policy. Reasonable accommodation, based on disability or religious observances, will be considered in accordance with applicable law and UTHealth Houston policy. The University maintains affirmative action programs with respect to women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and eligible veterans in accordance with applicable law.

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