Research Assistant III - Pediatrics Infectious Diseases

at  UTHealth Houston

The position is with our highly talented Pediatrics Infectious Diseases Team. They primarily work with pediatric patients with a wide variety of acute and chronic infectious diseases, including disorders of host defense. Faculty within the Infectious Diseases group conduct a wide variety of research in the field with a focus on clinical outcomes of post-transplant infections, novel diagnostics in the care of immunocompromised hosts, vaccines, and prophylaxis of infections. The program has a strong record of multi-disciplinary clinical and translational collaboration within the ID adult group, other universities, and across departments of the McGovern Medical School. Studies span from investigations of molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and immunity through clinical trials testing interventions to reduce infection-associated morbidity and mortality.
What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won’t want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as…

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

POSITION SUMMARY:

This lab-based research role involves active work with lab instruments and performing lab experiments. The incumbent will be involved in collecting samples. The team is currently working on Human samples.
Conducts and executes complex scientific experiments and research endeavors and interprets the results.

POSITION KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Plans and implements research experiments according to research protocol. Research activities may include some or all of the following: patient recruiting and screening, traditional laboratory experiments and activities, informatics, field interviewer recruiting, screening, and training and/or animal laboratories.
• Makes independent decisions as required, which may impact research team or assigned project.
• Maintains accurate and timely records which may include notebooks, records, databases, etc. as needed by the research project.
• Assists with identifying type and quality of supplies needed for research project to ensure cost effectiveness and ensure smooth operations.
• May monitor laboratory and/or other supplies to ensure sufficient inventory to support research projects.
• May maintain clean laboratory equipment and/or work area to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Stays abreast of new and updated protocols for research department. Participates in continuing education programs, seminars, and workshops.
• May provide guidance and training of laboratory technicians, field interviewers, research subjects, support staff and/or other assistants to ensure efficient, timely and high quality results.
• May provide updates to P.I. regarding research progress.
• Complies with all governmental and University policies, rules, regulation and codes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

CERTIFICATION/SKILLS:

Advanced knowledge of concepts of research field assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate field of science or relevant experience in lieu of education.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years of related experience in a research or clinical lab environment.
May substitute required experience with equivalent years of education beyond the minimum education requirement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects. This position may include work involving potentially hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive agents.

Please refer the Job description for details