Research Associate/Sr- CHI- Pediatric Cardiology

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.

The Research Associate in the Serpooshan Lab will focus on advanced stem cell and tissue engineering research, including maintaining induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) cultures and differentiating stem cells into various cardiac lineages. Responsibilities include performing 2D and 3D cell culture assays, working on 3D bioprinting of cardiovascular tissue models, and utilizing human iPSC-derived cells and biomaterials to model congenital heart disease. The role requires precision in experimental design, data analysis, and documentation, as well as collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to advance innovative cardiac research.

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:

Plans, conducts, and directs a wide variety of experiments. Assists with the day-to-day activities for research project(s) and may impact the success of the research project(s).

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Collects, evaluates, interprets, and documents research data to accomplish the objectives of a wide variety of scientific experiments and research projects.
• Influences project direction and outcomes by identifying opportunities to enhance, terminate, or re-direct research activities.
• May recruit study participants or field interviewers.
• Evaluates and interprets data and provides results to investigators to support publication.
• Maintains quality control checks and a safe environment in compliance with all governmental and University policies, rules, regulation and codes.
• Assists in the preparation and writing of research reports, manuscripts, papers and grant proposals for presentation and publication.
• Provides direction and training to lab personnel to ensure efficient, timely and high quality results in compliance with all protocols, guidelines, regulations, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Considerable knowledge in basic and sophisticated equipment.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field with three (3) years of related research experience including experience in a lead research role; or
Master’s degree in a related field with one (1) year of related research experience including experience in a lead research role; or
Doctorate degree.

Minimum Experience:

Years of experience varies based on education level.

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.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.