Research Scientist - Texas Therapeutics Institute

Texas Therapeutics Institute is located within the Institute of Molecular Medicine at 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, Texas 77030.

Expertise in antibody discovery and engineering, including library construction, screening and selection. Knowledge in protein biochemistry is also required, ideally protein engineering by rational design and combinatorial approaches.

Perform:

Biochemistry – protein sciences and engineering, enzyme and antibody production purification and characterizations

Molecular biology – recombinant cloning, plasmid construction, combinatorial library

Cell biology – mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, receptor e.g. GPCR expression and characterization

Cellular and molecular immunology – antibody mediated functional assays.

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:

Determines feasibility of possible projects to ensure results will have a significant impact. Determines project feasibility in terms of staff, time, and resources.  

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.  

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.

Designs experimental procedures, which may involve examining new techniques, that may improve existing analysis and provide additional capabilities.

Evaluates the data from the analysis.  

Presents results in a written paper for publication, in a presentation at a meeting, or through personal contact with faculty members and other researchers.   

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.

Provides work direction and guidance to personnel within department. May lead projects and activities.

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.