Research Scientist I - Vascular Biology Laboratory

Title: Research Scientist I - Vascular Biology Laboratory

Employee Classification: Research Scientist I

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science

Department: UNT-Biological Sciences-121100

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and discipline, in accordance with university guidelines and available funding.

FTE: 1.00

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Department of Biological Sciences, one of four departments in the College of Science, has over 40 faculty, 175 graduate and 3,000 undergraduate students. Our faculty is a community of scholars dedicated to research and teaching in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Plant Biology, and Organismal environment interactions. We offer Bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Medical Laboratory Science, and Forensic Science, and Master’s and PhDs in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Environmental Science. We measure our success by the success of our students and the quality of our intellectual contributions to society.

UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Position Overview

Dr. Anastasia Sacharidou's Vascular Biology Laboratory, seeks a long- term staff Research Scientist to serve as a key partner in the daily operation of a growing research lab. The scientist will coordinate experimental work, conduct mouse and cell-based studies, maintain continuity across projects, troubleshoot routine problems, and guide student researchers. Our research examines endothelial function in metabolic disease, thrombosis, and stroke. This is a full-time staff research position for someone who enjoys both bench work and the practical work of keeping a laboratory organized and moving forward.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular or cell biology, or a closely related field.
• At least three years of hands-on laboratory research experience, including experience organizing experiments and working independently with established protocols.
• Prior hands-on experience with mice, including restraint, genotyping, injections and at least one routine identification or tissue-sampling procedure, such as ear tagging or tail sampling.
• Working familiarity with aseptic cell culture technique and routine mammalian cell culture maintenance, including preparation of a sterile workspace, feeding, and passaging cultured cells. Primary endothelial cell experience is not required.
• Experience with basic molecular biology methods (PCR, immunoblotting, ELISA, immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry), accurate record keeping, and communication of experimental results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating work across multiple projects or providing day-to-day guidance to students or junior lab members.
• Experience in working independently while also thriving in a collaborative team setting, and leading multiple projects concurrently.
• Experience with genetically engineered mouse colonies, and/or phenotyping.
• Experience with human primary cell culture, particularly endothelial cells.
• Research experience in vascular biology, metabolism, thrombosis, or a related area.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties

• Coordinate day-to-day experimental schedules and workflows across projects; track samples and follow planned studies through to completion in collaboration with the principal investigator.
• Perform routine mouse handling, restraint, identification, and sample collection; assist with mouse colony records, genotyping, experimental procedures, and tissue collection after appropriate training and protocol authorization. 
• Maintain cell cultures using aseptic technique and perform molecular and cellular assays, which may include PCR, immunoblotting, ELISA, immunofluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry; learn the laboratory’s specialized endothelial methods. 
• Maintain accurate experimental records, analyze and present data, manage inventory and equipment needs, and identify operational problems early so they can be resolved promptly. 
• Assist Dr. Sacharidou in training and guiding undergraduate/graduate researchers in established procedures, safe practices, and rigorous record keeping; organize data and methods for reports, presentations, and publications as needed. 

Physical Requirements

Continuously moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
Continuously performing repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
Continuously communicating with others to exchange information
Continuously hearing, understanding, and distinguishing speech and/or other sounds
Continuously requires clarity of vision at approximately 20 inches or less
Frequently seizing, holding, grasping, or turning objects
Occasionally performing sedentary work that primarily involves sitting or standing
Occasionally moving self in various positions to perform tasks
Occasionally pushing, pulling, or reaching
Occasionally lifting and moving objects up to 20 pounds
Occasionally operating machinery and/or power tools

Environmental Hazards

Exposure to fumes and airborne particles
Exposure to moving mechanical parts or vibration
Potential exposure to communicable diseases and blood
Work with toxic or caustic chemicals

Work Schedule

Varies based upon assignment

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.