Research Engineering/Scientist Associate I

Organize new lab space and establish operational protocols to ensure the lab is fully functional and equipped to conduct high-quality research. Place order for, set up, and maintain new equipment; arrange proper waste disposal and pickup; defrost freezers as necessary; manage inventory of research supplies and orders; ensure labs compliance with UT Environmental Health and Safety. Use advanced molecular techniques to preserve and analyze samples, including DNA extraction, library preps, and basic bioinformatic analyses. Manage data submission, retrieval, storage. Assist in interfacing with sequencing facilities. Train and supervise three (3) undergraduate assistants tasked with nucleic acids isolation; provide lab safety training for new lab members. Train and assist graduate students and post-docs with data protocols and collections.Grow plants in greenhouse, ensure plant watering, perform cross-pollination experiments, measure traits, and collect plant tissue for nucleic acid extraction. Perform dry lab work including handling, measuring, and/or weighing plant tissue and soil. Data entry. Organize, train, and supervise undergraduate assistants tasked with plant-related work.Assist with collection of samples, seeds, and observational data from field sites in California and/or Texas. Assist with collection permit applications and trip logistics. May involve multiple trips away from Austin, TX for one-three weeks; may involve camping. Assist in data analysis for research publication and related assignments. Assist with preparation of reports, manuscripts, and other documents.