The posting
Job Description
Join a federally funded clinical and translational research laboratory conducting active human subjects research across a portfolio that spans immune resilience, biological aging, military performance, infection, asthma, exercise physiology, heat stress, and trauma. The laboratory’s work generates data that supports ongoing scientific investigation and published research in multispecialty journals including Nature Communications and Aging Cell. The Research Associate will contribute to the direct execution of these programs with substantial independent judgment within established protocols.
This position may be filled at multiple education and training levels, including candidates with a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related scientific field (with research experience), candidates with a master’s degree, and candidates with a doctoral (PhD) degree. The specific appointment will be calibrated to the candidate’s background and the laboratory’s current scientific and operational needs.
Reporting to the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory personnel, the Research Associate will carry responsibility for the operational conduct of specific research activities within the laboratory’s active portfolio. Core responsibilities include participant recruitment and enrollment, obtaining informed consent in accordance with IRB-approved procedures, executing study visits across the laboratory’s human subjects protocols, performing physiological monitoring and environmental exposure assessments, collecting and processing biospecimens, maintaining accurate study records, contributing to protocol refinement and procedural documentation, and supporting less-senior laboratory staff as needed.
The Research Associate works at a level of independence that reflects practical familiarity with the laboratory’s protocols and standards. The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator, co-investigators, postdoctoral fellows, research coordinators, and clinical collaborators across UT Health San Antonio and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The role offers substantive engagement with clinical research methodology, biomarker science, physiological monitoring, and the operational discipline of federally funded clinical research.
Responsibilities
- The lab is currently engaged in exciting, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary projects focused on infection, aging, asthma, and exercise, and job duties are aligned with these research initiatives.
- Plans, designs and implements research experiments according to established protocols to assure high quality scientific results in support of project goals.
- Conducts experiments and studies and assesses outcome; adapts continued studies based on the organization of findings.
- Presents data in organized, readable formats including written reports and graphical summaries, account for relevant supplies and ordering them as needed and other activities related to each project.
- Conducts library and topical research pertinent to projects.
- Writes and prepares final papers to support findings; submits evidence for publication.
- Assures compliance with institutional policies, rules and regulations to meet federal, state and local standards and codes pertaining to safety and ethics.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to monitor important and complex projects concurrently.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Lotus Notes/other email software.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, to include writing and preparing memorandums, letters, and other official correspondence.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree degree in a specialized field of study is required.
Experience:
- Four (4) years of experience is required.
About Us
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture.
Benefits Overview
UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.
Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.
Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.
Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.
Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.
FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.
Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:
- Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
- Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
- Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
- Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.
Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.
EEO Statement
UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
