About this role
This position supports Dr. Jung Hwan Kim's laboratory. The lab develops quantitative neuroimaging methods using structural and functional MRI. Current projects include cerebrovascular and hemodynamic studies in healthy adults and imaging biomarkers after mild traumatic brain injury. Ongoing collaborative projects include DECT measurement of brain water content after subarachnoid hemorrhage with Dr. Huimahn A. Choi (Neurosurgery and Neurocritical Care), and multimodal MRI studies of occupational exposure in firefighters with the UTHealth School of Public Health. The team is small and collaborative, working closely with physicians, neurosurgeons, and public health researchers.
This individual will assist with human MRI experiments and analyze brain imaging data using MATLAB and neuroimaging tools. The role also includes routine participant scheduling, data quality control, record keeping, and support for analyses and manuscripts.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with neuroimaging analysis tools (e.g., FSL, FreeSurfer, AFNI, SPM)
- Coding experience in both MATLAB and Python
- Familiarity with Linux command-line environments
- Prior research experience in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, or a related field
- Experience with human subjects research, including participant recruitment, consent, or scheduling
- Strong organization, attention to detail, and data management skills
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus for participant recruitment and communication
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.
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
The Research Assistant II, under general direction, conducts basic/ translational research, which may include animal work and other research activities. Research activities may include some or all of the following: handling biological samples, performing laboratory experiments and activities, and data collection. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices.
Position Key Accountabilities
- Under general direction, performs laboratory experiments and activities to support research objectives.
- Maintains accurate and timely documentation including notebooks, records, databases, etc. as needed by the research project. May prepare graphic representations of data results.
- Maintains clean laboratory equipment and/or work area to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
- Under general direction, monitors laboratory and/or other supplies to ensure sufficient inventory to support research projects in a timely manner.
- Stays abreast of new and updated procedures and protocols for research laboratory. Must maintain compliance with required training. May participates in continuing education programs, seminars, and workshops.
- As needed, coordinates the work of laboratory technicians, support staff and other assistants to ensure efficient, timely and high quality results. Answers questions or resolves problems regarding routine or more complex duties.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills
- Specialized knowledge of research fields
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree required
May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement. Minimum Experience:
2 years of specialized experience in research or lab environment required
May substitute required experience with equivalent years of education beyond the minimum education requirement. 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. 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.