Job Summary

The Levi lab oratory in the Division of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery in the Department of Surgery has an opening for a Research Scientist. The Levi lab's mission is to improve the lives of people living with skin and musculoskeletal injuries and diseases through rigorous science and compassion. Current projects in the Levi laboratory are related to the molecular biology behind tissue fibrosis and the repair and regeneration process in tendon, muscle, and bone. The laboratory integrates multiomics-based approaches with investigations of musculoskeletal development, homeostasis, repair, and regeneration. The laboratory uses transgenic animal models combined with bioinformatic approaches to understand the cell-cell interactions that occur within the stem cell niche under physiological conditions and strives to understand how these divergent signaling mechanisms may guide future therapeutic strategies to promote faithful repair of damaged tissue.

The Levi Lab looking is for a Research Scientist to join the team and willing to commit to at least two years. The Research Scientist will support ongoing bench and animal work within the lab related to tendon injury/fibrosis, muscle injury/fibrosis or bone/tendon/muscle regeneration. Duties will include routine molecular bench work combined with the use of animal models (animal handling, injections, surgeries, sample collection) as well as downstream processing (histology, immunofluorescent stain and confocal imaging, flow cytometry, cell culture, single cell and bulk RNA sequencing) under supervision of the PI.
Laboratory Expectations

Routine molecular bench work combined with the use of animal models

o Animal handling, injections, modified diet maintenance, surgeries, and sample collection

Downstream processing

o Histology, immunofluorescent stain and confocal imaging, flow cytometry, and work with cell cultures and single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing
Experience and Education

Ph.D. degree with major coursework in field of assignment and five (5) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least two (2) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent. or

Master's degree with major coursework in field of assignment and seven (7) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least three (3) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent. or

Bachelor's degree with major coursework in field of assignment and nine (9) years research experience in field of assignment, including at least four (4) years at level of Senior Research Associate or equivalent.
Preferred Experience

Able to utilize a variety of molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to PCR, qPCR, western blotting, RNA/DNA extraction, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and next generation sequencing.

Experience with animal handling, animal breeding, genotyping, and animal surgery.

Experience with single-cell transcriptomic analyses.

Experience with histology pipeline from tissue harvest to embedding, sectioning, staining, and confocal microscopy.

Experience with flow cytometry and mass spectrometry.

Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.

Able to perform data analysis and interpretation using bioinformatics tools, statistical methods, and relevant software packages.
Laboratory Duties

Animal breeding, genotyping, handling, and surgery

Molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to PCR, qPCR, western blotting, RNA/DNA extraction, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and next generation sequencing.

Flow cytometry and mass spectrometry.

Histology pipeline from tissue harvest to embedding, sectioning, staining, and confocal microscopy.

Design and execute experiments to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes.

Plan and develop standard operating protocols for experimental protocols.

Review and analyze resulting research data.

Revise techniques or approaches to work problems that are indicated as necessary by research data.

May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.

Maintain a respectful and inclusive laboratory environment.

Maintain a clean and functional workspace.

Analyze and interpret experimental data using relevant software and statistical methods.

Stay current with advances in molecular biology research and contribute to the development of new methodologies and techniques.

Prepare research findings for publication in scientific journals and present results at conferences and meetings, including weekly laboratory meetings and reading/writing clubs.

Contribute to grant writing and fundraising efforts to support research activities.

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to contribute molecular biology expertise to research projects and initiatives.

Assist in the training and supervision of junior laboratory personnel, including technicians, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.
Job Duties

Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and personally participates in assigned scientific or medical research projects.

Selects or assists in selection of key research personnel.

Determines specific goals or objectives to be attained and assigns and reviews work of subordinates.

Plans experimental protocols.

Reviews and analyzes resulting research data.

Revises techniques or approaches to work problems as indicated necessary by research data.

Compiles, writes, and submits research results to supervisor.

Prepares or assists in preparation of research papers, reports, and abstracts for publication as one of co-authors.

Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.

Plans and supervises training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory techniques, use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures.

May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

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