Research Technician

Job Posting Title:

Research Technician

• Hiring Department:

  Department of Marine Science

• Position Open To:

  All Applicants

• Weekly Scheduled Hours:

  40

• FLSA Status:

  Non-Exempt

• Earliest Start Date:

  Jul 01, 2026

• Position Duration:

  Expected to Continue Until Jun 30, 2027

•

Location:

PORT ARANSAS, TX

•

Job Details:

General notes The MMAR Lab is looking for a motivated and organized individual to join our group as a Research Technician. The position primarily focuses on marine microbial culturing, field sampling, and laboratory management. The MMAR Lab studies how plankton adapt to a changing ocean using both experimental and modeling approaches.

Purpose of position:

While the technician will be responsible for the core operational needs of the lab, there is significant room for intellectual growth. We strongly encourage individuals who are excited to eventually lead their own independent research projects once they have become settled in the lab and familiar with our systems. This can be an excellent stepping stone toward graduate studies in the future. Start date would ideally be no later than July 2026. Position is located in Port Aransas, Texas 1-year initially, with a 2-year renewal depending on performance and funding Responsibilities Maintain marine microbial cultures; responsible for the daily care, monitoring, and scaling of protist cultures, ensuring the stability of experimental strains. Support the field sampling and sample processing in the context of our Texas Gulf Center Research Program collaborative effort at UTMSI.

General lab support:

assist ongoing experiments, buy lab supplies, and keep lab chemical inventories. Independent research (optional but encouraged): develop and lead specific research components or independent projects in alignment with lab goals. Required Qualifications The candidate will have a Bachelor's in biology, chemistry, marine science, microbiology, or related discipline. They should possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks independently. The candidate will have effective communication skills and a collaborative spirit. Preferred Qualifications Experience with aseptic technique, microbial culturing, or field-based water sampling is desirable, but not required. In addition, a background in data analysis or R is a plus, but not required. Salary Range $35,000

• $40,000 (commensurate with experience) Working Conditions May work in unideal weather conditions. Beach life in Port Aransas is guaranteed, with easy access to the field and ecosystems. To learn more about Dr. Suzana Leles values and mentoring style, check the lab website: https://themmarlab.com/values Required Materials
• Resume/CV
• 1-2 work references with their contact information
• Please include a summary of your qualifications, any previous laboratory experience, and your interest in the position (including whether you have an interest in eventually developing an independent research project).

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 that ALL Required 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 questions presented 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]

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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. Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas' flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you'll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world. Looking for a student job? Please see our Student Employment site.

Comments and Inquiries:

Email comments to hrsc@austin.utexas.edu. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at (512) 471-4772, or toll-free at (800) 687-4178. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus