Research Scientist, Cancer Biology, Levi Lab

Research Scientist, Cancer Biology, Levi Lab )

Job Summary:

Plans, coordinates, directs, and participates in the work of smaller research projects or major units of large research projects in the field of specialization for which the incumbent is particularly qualified through extensive training and/or experience.

The Levi laboratory, part of the Division of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery in the Department of Surgery, seeks a Research Scientist with an Osteosarcoma focus to support ongoing bench and animal work related to tendon, muscle, or bone injury/fibrosis and regeneration. The candidate will commit to at least two years and work under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.

• Routine molecular bench work combined with the use of animal models
• Animal handling, injections, diet maintenance, surgeries, and sample collection
• Downstream processing: histology, immunofluorescent staining, confocal imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, single‑cell and bulk RNA sequencing

• Proficiency with PCR, qPCR, western blotting, RNA/DNA extraction, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9 editing, and next‑generation sequencing
• Experience with animal handling, breeding, genotyping, and animal surgery
• Experience with single‑cell transcriptomic analyses
• Experience with the full histology pipeline (harvest, embedding, sectioning, staining, confocal microscopy)
• Experience with flow cytometry and mass spectrometry
• Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills
• Ability to perform data analysis and interpretation using bioinformatics tools, statistical methods, and relevant software packages

• Animal breeding, genotyping, handling, and surgery
• Molecular biology techniques including PCR, qPCR, western blotting, RNA/DNA extraction, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9, and next‑generation sequencing
• Flow cytometry and mass spectrometry
• Histology pipeline from harvest to confocal microscopy
• Design and execute experiments to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes
• Plan and develop standard operating procedures for experimental protocols
• Review and analyze resulting research data
• Revise techniques or approaches as indicated by research data
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and contribute molecular biology expertise
• Assisted in training and supervision of junior laboratory personnel (technicians, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows)
• Maintain a respectful and inclusive laboratory environment and a clean workspace
• Prepare research findings for publication and present results at conferences and meetings
• Contribute to grant writing and fundraising efforts

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full‑time employee‑only coverage
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

Education Requirements
PhD with major coursework in the relevant field or Master's Degree with major coursework in the relevant field or Bachelor's Degree with major coursework in the relevant field

Experience Requirements
5 years of research experience in the field of assignment with PhD and 2 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent
7 years of research experience in the field of assignment with Master’s degree and 3 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent
9 years of research experience in the field of assignment with Bachelor's degree and 4 years at the level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and personally participates in assigned scientific or medical research projects
• Selects or assists in the selection of key research personnel and determines specific goals or objectives to be attained
• Assigns and reviews work of subordinates; plans experimental protocols
• Reviews and analyzes research data; revises techniques as indicated by data
• Compiles, writes, and submits research results; prepares or assists in preparation of research papers, reports, and abstracts for publication
• Designs, develops,…