Postdoctoral Fellow - Optics and Microfluidics

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow - Optics and Microfluidics

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Hiring Department:

Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2023

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are major causes of death and disability worldwide. Although these diseases have different clinical presentations, mechanistically they all involve the formation of neurotoxic soluble oligomers of misfolded proteins. 

The aim of the collaborative project between UT Austin and MD Anderson Cancer Center is to develop an optical microfluidic device capable of detecting protein oligomers in a biological sample. Successful development of such a device could lead to unprecedented capabilities for diagnosis and treatment.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with experience in microfluidics, optics, optical fibers and optical spectroscopy to help with initial stage of the project which will be focused on proof-of-concept.

Additional responsibilities include mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, wiring scientific papers, writing grants, leading collaborations with clinical teams, and assisting with other optical-sensing projects in the group.

This is a temporary position with an initial term of one year with the expectation of renewal of up to two additional years.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on development of an optical microfluidic device while working closely with clinical collaborators

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students

• Writing research grants and research papers

• Dissemination of results via academic conferences

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in a physical sciences or engineering received within the last three years

• Experience working with optical fibers, optical fiber sensors, waveguides, optical alignment

• Experience in molecular spectroscopy, preferably infrared

• Experience with microfluidics

• Excellent written and communication skills

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in entrepreneurship is desirable

• Experience writing grants

• Optical simulations

• Programming experience with LabView, Matlab, Python, Raspberry Pi or Arduino

• Spectral analysis

Salary Range

$60,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Work in an academic research environment

• Conduct experimental research in laboratory environment

• Regularly communicate with clinical collaborators

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

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

• Brief letter of interest / cover letter describing your motivation and suitability for the position

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:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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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. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 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 2021 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.