Molecular Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting Title:
Research Engineering/Scientist Associate III
----
Hiring Department:
Department of Neuroscience
----
Position Open To:
All Applicants
----
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
----
FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA
----
Earliest Start Date:
Jul 28, 2026
----
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Jul 27, 2027
----
Location:
AUSTIN, TX
----
Job Details:
General Notes
The Fenno Laboratory develops molecular technologies for neuroscience, including viral vector engineering, gene delivery systems, and genetic tools for cell-type-specific interrogation and therapeutic targeting of the nervous system. Research spans molecular engineering, viral vector production, computational genomics, and translational neuroscience, with projects supported by federal agencies, private foundations, and industry collaborations.
The successful candidate will serve in a dynamic research support role spanning laboratory operations, specialized technical research, and coordination of collaborative research programs. The position includes independent responsibility for advanced molecular biology workflows, management of collaborative research activities across multiple laboratories, supervision and training of laboratory personnel, and coordination with external sponsors and collaborators.
Initial assignment will be for one year. Subsequent renewal of employment will be based upon performance review, progress toward research goals, and continuation of funding.
Purpose
Provide advanced technical, operational, and project coordination support for foundation-funded neuroscience research in the laboratory of Dr. Lief Fenno within the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin. Independently support laboratory operations while serving as the primary coordinator for a multi-investigator research program involving multiple collaborating laboratories and external sponsors.
Responsibilities
Advanced Research Support:

• Independently perform and optimize specialized molecular biology, viral vector production, cloning, sequencing, and related laboratory techniques supporting multiple funded research projects.
• Develop, optimize, and document laboratory workflows and standard operating procedures.
• Analyze experimental results and prepare data, reports, and figures for laboratory meetings, sponsor updates, grant applications, and scientific publications.

Project Coordination and Research Administration:

• Serve as the primary coordinator and day-to-day point of contact for a multi-investigator, foundation-funded research program involving multiple collaborating laboratories.
• Coordinate project timelines, milestones, deliverables, meetings, and communications among investigators, trainees, institutional partners, sponsoring organizations, and collaborators.
• Organize sponsor meetings, maintain project calendars, prepare meeting materials, document action items, and monitor project progress.
• Coordinate laboratory purchasing, equipment procurement, and project-related expenditures.

Laboratory Operations, Training, and Supervision:

• Coordinate day-to-day laboratory operations including inventory management, equipment maintenance, protocol documentation, regulatory compliance, and laboratory organization.
• Train laboratory personnel in molecular biology techniques and viral vector production.
• Supervise undergraduate research assistants and assist with onboarding new laboratory personnel.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in neuroscience, biology, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry. Experience with molecular biology techniques
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple projects independently.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with viral vector production, molecular engineering, or neuroscience research.
• Experience coordinating collaborative multi-investigator research programs.
• Experience serving as liaison with sponsoring organizations and collaborators.
• Experience managing laboratory purchasing and research operations.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students or research personnel.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing, computational biology, or bioinformatics.

Salary Range
$50,000 - $60,000 depending on qualifications
Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around biohazards
• May work around chemicals
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

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]

----
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.