Research Associate

Job Title

Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M University Health Science Center

Department

IBT - CGPM - Ramos

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Houston, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.    

Who we are 

As one of the fastest-growing academic health centers in the nation, Texas A&M Health encompasses five colleges and numerous centers and institutes working together to improve health through transformative education, innovative research and team-based health care delivery. 

What we want

The Research Associate supports projects focused on human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived airway and lung epithelial models, including region-specific airway basal stem cell and alveolar differentiation, airway and alveolar epithelial maturation, and disease modeling. The Research Associate will conduct cell culture and differentiation experiments, perform downstream molecular, imaging and functional analyses, organize and summarize research data, maintain detailed experimental records, and assist with training students and other laboratory personnel in research techniques and laboratory procedures.

What you need to know

Salary: Will be commensurate based on the selected hire’s education and experience.  

Location/Schedule: Houston, TX/Full-Time 

Apply! Submitting a cover letter, CV/Resume to assist us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.  

Responsibilities

Research and Experimental Work

Conduct and coordinate experiments related to human pluripotent stem cell-derived airway and alveolar epithelial differentiation and lung disease modeling. Maintain hPSC and differentiated lung epithelial cultures, perform airway basal cell ALI differentiation and maintenance, flow cytometry, immunostaining, microscopy, qPCR, and other molecular and cellular assays. Assist with animal xenograft model experiments in accordance with approved protocols. Maintain detailed experimental records, organize data, evaluate results, troubleshoot protocols, and assist with laboratory equipment operation and maintenance.

Documentation and Data Analysis

Analyze, interpret, and summarize experimental results from in vitro differentiation experiments and in vivo xenograft studies. Prepare data summaries, figures, and written materials for laboratory meetings and progress reports. Assist with sample tracking, reagent inventory, protocol documentation, data management, and coordination of sequencing, histology, imaging, or core facility submissions. Support documentation for biosafety, stem cell, and animal research protocols as needed.

Training and Laboratory Coordination

Train and assist students and other laboratory personnel in cell culture, differentiation protocols, laboratory techniques, animal study-related sample processing, data organization, safety procedures, and routine laboratory operations. Help establish and maintain standard operating procedures and quality control practices to support reproducible experiments.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, cell biology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of related research experience in a biomedical research laboratory.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with airway or lung epithelial biology, ALI culture, immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, qPCR, single-cell sequencing sample preparation, and/or animal model support.
• Prior experience in a stem cell and developmental biology, epithelial biology, or lung disease research laboratory is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with human pluripotent stem cell maintenance and directed differentiation, flow cytometry, and standard molecular or cell biology techniques
• Knowledge of mammalian cell culture and molecular/cellular biology techniques.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow established protocols and troubleshoot experiments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research team.
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely laboratory records.
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and communicate research results.
• Ability to train and support students and other laboratory personnel.
• Familiarity with biosafety practices, sterile technique, data organization, laboratory inventory management, and animal research compliance requirements.
• Ability to assist with animal model-related experimental preparation, monitoring, tissue/sample collection, and downstream analysis under approved protocols.

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums  

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays   

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month  

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas   

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time  

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more   

• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee  

• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees  

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered, or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.