Laboratory Research Assistant

Location: Port Aransas

Laboratory Research Assistant at The University of Texas at Austin.

Job Basics

• Job Posting
  
  Title:
  
  Laboratory Research Assistant
• Hiring Department:
  Department of Marine Science
• Position Open To:
  All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled
  
  Hours:
  
  40
• FLSA Status:
  Non-Exempt
• Earliest
  
  Start Date:
  
  Jan 05, 2026
• Position Duration:
  Expected to Continue Until Jul 31, 2026
• Location:
  
  Marine Science Institute – Port Aransas, Texas

The goal of the overall project is to investigate the importance of intertidal mangroves on the Texas coast as sources of atmospheric methane. The main goal of this position is to determine where in association with mangrove plants (e.g., within mangrove tissue, surrounding mangrove soils) microbial methane production takes place.

Responsibilities

• Conduct multidisciplinary field work to study the coastal methane cycle.
• Extract DNA and RNA from mangrove tissue and mangrove soil.
• Quantify populations of methane-cycling microorganisms using real‑time PCR.
• Perform metabarcoding and DNA sequence analyses of methane‑cycling microbial populations in mangrove tissue and mangrove soil.
• Analyze stable carbon isotopic compositions of methane and other carbon compounds present in environmental samples.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience in the extraction of DNA or RNA.
• Prior experience in the analysis of DNA sequences.
• Prior experience using R or other programming language(s) (e.g., Matlab, Python, Linux).
• Basic organizational and computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Ability to work in a team of researchers with various backgrounds.
• Basic swimming skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marine, biological, or environmental science, or environmental engineering.
• Prior experience in the phylogenetic analysis of DNA or RNA sequences from complex environmental samples.
• Prior experience in the bioinformatic analysis of metabarcoded DNA or RNA sequences from complex environmental samples.
• Prior experience doing field work.

Driving Requirements

This job requires a class C operator’s driver’s license. The applicant must provide a current three‑year driving record from the state of residence. Employees 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).

Salary Range

$31,200

Working Conditions

• Work in all weather conditions.
• Work in extreme temperatures.
• Work around chemical fumes.
• Work around standard office conditions.
• Work around chemicals.
• Work around electrical and mechanical hazards.
• Will work in up to 15‑ft deep estuarine waters driving small research boats.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Climbing of stairs.
• Lifting and moving.

Required Materials

• Letter of interest.
• Resume/CV.
• Three work references with contact information; at least one from a supervisor.

Application Notes for Non‑Current University Employees or Contingent Workers

Submit your resume first; then you may upload additional materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) in the Application Questions section. All required materials must be uploaded before submitting. Once submitted, changes are not allowed.

Application Notes for Current University Employees and Contingent Workers

Apply within Workday by searching for “Find UT Jobs”. Log in, navigate to Your Worker Profile, click the Career link, and update the Professional Profile before applying. The application is one page and you must upload your resume. Additional materials are uploaded through the application questions.

Employment Eligibility

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

Retirement Plan Eligibility

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 finalists.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The…