Molecular Ecology Technician

Job Posting Title:

Molecular Ecology Technician

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Hiring Department:

Department of Integrative Biology

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Apr 08, 2024

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Apr 07, 2025

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Location:

BRACKENRIDGE FIELD LAB

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Job Details:

General Notes

This position ends 12-months from initial hire date and includes a full-time benefits package.

Location: UT Austin's Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Austin, Texas.

Security sensitive; criminal background check conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background check.

Purpose

The technician will work on processing molecular data for ongoing experiments and surveys assessing post-fire recovery of a university field station part of the Texas Field Station Network. Technician will process genetic barcode data from pre and postfire taxa surveys of various arthropod groups and prepare next-generation sequencing data for soil microbiome analysis (fungal and bacterial) from pre and postfire samples.

Responsibilities

• Complete preparation and analysis of high-quality genetic sequence datasets for research use.

• Complete lab protocols under the supervision of the Molecular Ecologist.

• Driving a UT vehicle between the field station and main UT campus on occasion for supplies.

• Utilize a variety of software to analyze and prepare sequence data.

• General lab tasks and routine equipment maintenance.

Required Qualifications

HS diploma with relevant experience in field and laboratory research or current enrollment in a BS/BA in biology, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, or a related field. Must have passed laboratory or research skills courses related to degree. Must possess an independent, organized, and motivated work ethic. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

BS/BA or MSc in biology, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, or a related field, plus experience in producing and analyzing genetic datasets. Experience working in a research laboratory is also beneficial.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$34,000

Working Conditions

• Continuous use of keyboards and display monitors.

• Exposure to insect bites/stings

• Exposure to all weather conditions

• May require lifting and moving loads up to 40lbs.

Work Shift

• May occasionally require a non-standard work schedule including working long days, weekends and/or holidays.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.