Senior Research Assistant

Senior Research Assistant

Division:
Surgery

Work Arrangement:
Onsite only

Location:

Houston, TX

Salary Range: $57,320 - $67,435

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for performing complex, responsible research work of an advanced nature requiring high-level skills and expertise. Works under general direction from the Principal Investigator, with significant independent judgment in planning and executing experiments supporting a translational cardiac gene therapy research program focused on CRISPR-based epigenetic editing, AAV/lentiviral vector delivery, and in vivo models of cardiac repair.

• Performs molecular cloning, plasmid construction, and verification (restriction digests, sequencing, Gibson/Golden Gate assembly) to support CRISPRa/CRISPRi construct development.
• Conducts Western blotting, qPCR, and related protein/RNA expression assays to evaluate target engagement and pathway activity (e.g., PGC-1α, VEGF-A).
• Maintains primary and immortalized cell cultures (e.g., AC16 cardiomyocytes, neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes), including transduction with lentiviral/AAV constructs and downstream phenotypic assays.
• Prepares and processes samples for next-generation sequencing applications, including amplicon sequencing library preparation.
• Assists with rodent surgical procedures (e.g., myocardial infarction model, vector injection) under PI or veterinary staff guidance, including pre- and post-operative animal care.
• Performs tissue harvest, processing, fixation, sectioning, and storage for downstream histological and molecular analyses.
• Maintains accurate records of animal cohorts, treatment groups, and experimental timelines in compliance with IACUC protocols.
• Plans, organizes, and executes experiments with appropriate controls; troubleshoots and optimizes protocols independently.
• Evaluates and analyzes experimental data; prepares summaries, figures, and reports for the PI.
• Maintains detailed, organized laboratory notebooks and electronic records in accordance with lab and institutional standards.
• Manages laboratory inventory, orders supplies and reagents, and ensures equipment is maintained and calibrated.
• Conducts literature searches and summarizes relevant findings to inform experimental design.
• Assists with grant-related tasks on an occasional basis, such as compiling preliminary data, figures, or references for proposals and progress reports.
• Trains and orients high school, undergraduate, and graduate student researchers on laboratory techniques, safety procedures, and protocols.
• Provides day-to-day guidance and oversight to trainees working on assigned projects; reviews their data and technique for quality and reproducibility.

Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of relevant experience.

Master's degree in basic science or a related field.

Work Authorization Requirement:
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment. Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer. Requisition