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Job Title

Research Assistant

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Biology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job

The Lillvis lab (https://www.bio.tamu.edu/faculty-page-josh-lillvis/) in the Biology Department at Texas A&M University is looking to hire a Research Assistant. Our lab develops and utilizes cutting-edge methods to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the generation, variation, and evolution of behavior with a focus on the courtship songs produced by Drosophila fruit files.

As a Research Assistant, you will be integral to our research, responsible for maintaining fly stocks, collecting and analyzing behavior data, preparing brain samples for expansion microscopy, and generating transgenic fly lines across species. Additionally, you will have the exciting opportunities to image brain samples on confocal and light sheet microscopes and to image neural activity in behaving flies.

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply and join the Lillvis Lab at Texas A&M University!

Opportunities to Contribute ​

+ Run expansion microscopy pipeline to support multiple in lab projects and collaborations

+ Flip flies every 3-6 weeks

+ Screen heterozygous flies for transgenic markers

+ Generate transgenic fly stocks across Drosophila species

+ Conduct and analyze fly behavior experiments

+ Assist primary investigator in daily lab operations, ordering, student training, etc.

Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Bachelors in biology

+ Some related lab experience

+ Drosophila experience

+ Molecular biology methods experience

+ Light microscopy experience

+ Data analysis/coding experience

+ Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing

+ Ability to positively and professionally interact with lab members and students

+ Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

+ Working knowledge of office software and instructional programs

+ Ability to pipet and conduct other basic molecular biology lab exercises for several hours/day

+ Ability to flip hundreds of fly vials in a day

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected hire’s education and experience

Special Note: This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

What You Need to Do

Apply! Submit a resume/cv and cover letter. These documents will help us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

Why Texas A&M University?

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.

The Department of Biology at Texas A&M University is responsible for research and teaching within the vast disciplines of the biological sciences, from molecular cell biology to ecology and evolutionary biology. Our faculty perform cutting edge research in a wide array of biological sciences in the laboratory and in the field. Our graduate research programs prepare scientists for careers in academia, industry and government and enhance our understanding of the central role of biological systems in the global environment. Our undergraduate students gain a firm foundation in modern biological sciences to prepare them for a multitude of careers that depend on a solid understanding of biology. To learn more, please visit us at https://www.bio.tamu.edu/.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

+ Medical, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) prescription drug, dental, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) vision, life and AD&D, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

+ 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays

+ Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html) and at least eight hours of paid vacation (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) each month

+ Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx)

+ Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

+ Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/) training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

+ Educational release time and tuition assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

+ Living Well, (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/) 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 pre-populate 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.