Research Engineering / Scientist Associate I

Job Posting Title :

Research Engineering / Scientist Associate I

Hiring Department :

Department of Integrative Biology

Position Open To : All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours :

40

FLSA Status : Exempt

Earliest Start Date :

Nov 10, 2025

Position Duration :

Expected to Continue Until Nov 09, 2026

Location : UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details : General Notes

This is a one-year position with opportunity for renewal based on funding and performance. The position will include full-time benefits package.

Security sensitive; criminal background check conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background requirement.

Review of applications will start November 10th, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Start date as soon as November-December 2025, but is negotiable.

Purpose

The Sianta Lab (www.siantalab.com) in the Department of Integrative Biology at UT Austin seeks a highly motivated and detail-oriented laboratory technician to play a key role in setting up and supporting the research operations of our lab. Our research focuses on understanding the evolutionary and ecological processes driving phenotypic, genetic, and species diversity in plant systems. The lab uses field and greenhouse experiments, population genomics, and phylogenomics and comparative biology to investigate how spatial environmental variation and local adaptation contribute to speciation. We also have projects studying dynamics of hybridization and introgression. This position offers a unique opportunity to be involved in the foundational stages of a lab, contributing to a cutting-edge research program that integrates ecological, evolutionary, and genomic approaches.

This position will involve general lab setup and management, general plant care and experiments with plants in the greenhouse, standard molecular biology techniques, and training and supervising of undergraduate assistants. This position will likely involve fieldwork in Spring 2026 in California and / or Texas, which may require being away from Austin, TX for one to a few weeks across multiple trips and may require camping. Fieldwork would require some driving and a valid driver's license. The work will also include data analysis, and there will be opportunities for publishing research.

Inquiries about the position can be directed to Shelley Sianta ( shelley.sianta@austin.utexas.edu ).

Responsibilities

Organize new lab space and establish operational protocols to ensure the lab is fully functional and equipped to conduct high-quality research. Place order for, set up, and maintain new equipment; arrange proper waste disposal and pickup; defrost freezers as necessary; manage inventory of research supplies and orders; ensure lab's compliance with UT Environmental Health and Safety.

Use advanced molecular techniques to preserve and analyze samples, including DNA extraction, library preps, and basic bioinformatic analyses. Manage data submission, retrieval, storage. Assist in interfacing with sequencing facilities. Train and supervise three (3) undergraduate assistants tasked with nucleic acids isolation; provide lab safety training for new lab members. Train and assist graduate students and post-docs with data protocols and collections.

Grow plants in greenhouse, ensure plant watering, perform cross-pollination experiments, measure traits, and collect plant tissue for nucleic acid extraction. Perform dry lab work including handling, measuring, and / or weighing plant tissue and soil. Data entry. Organize, train, and supervise undergraduate assistants tasked with plant-related work.

Assist with collection of samples, seeds, and observational data from field sites in California and / or Texas. Assist with collection permit applications and trip logistics. May involve multiple trips away from Austin, TX for one-three weeks; may involve camping.

Assist in data analysis for research publication and related assignments. Assist with preparation of reports, manuscripts, and other documents.

Required Qualifications

The applicant should have a B.S. degree in biology, ecology, plant science, or a related field.

Experience in general molecular biology lab techniques (e.g., DNA work) and basic computer literacy are required.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

One year of experience working in a DNA lab.

Experience growing plants in a research setting.

Experience with fieldwork.

Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills; ability to multitask and manage shifting priorities.

Demonstrated ability to carry out research, troubleshoot new protocols.

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills for interaction with lab members and documentation functions.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.

Ability to sit or stand for multiple for up to 4 hours; ability to lift up to 40 lbs; ability to travel around campus and to off-campus locations.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$38,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Uniforms and / or personal protection equipment (furnished)

May work in all weather conditions

May work in extreme temperatures

May work around chemical fumes

May work around standard office conditions

May work around chemicals

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Use of manual dexterity

Climbing of stairs

Climbing of ladders

Lifting and moving

Work Shift

Flexible : 40 hours / week is required, and most of this time should be during normal business hours, although numbers of hours / day and days / week can be negotiated and may change depending on what projects are being pursued.

Required Materials

Resume / CV

Cover letter of interest

Three (3) work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers : As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility :

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion / transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility :

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks :

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer :

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer ,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency :

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification :

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify :

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following :

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance :

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.