Associate engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

Job Details

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General Notes

The Department of Chemistry is currently ranked 16th by the most recent US News & World Report survey. The department is a center of excellence with a community of world-class scholars, scientists, teachers and students who are supported by stable funding and state-of-the-art facilities. It is recognized as one of the preeminent academic centers for research and education in chemistry in the country.

Purpose

The Research Associate in the Baiz Lab at the University of Texas at Austin will contribute to cutting-edge investigations into the structural dynamics and interactions of membrane proteins and peptides within complex biological environments. This position centers on the application and development of advanced vibrational spectroscopic techniques—including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS), and two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy—alongside Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to probe fundamental biophysical questions. The Research Associate will play a key role in advancing the lab's understanding of protein-lipid interactions, hydration dynamics, conformational changes, and regulatory mechanisms of proteins and peptides relevant to cellular signaling and disease. This work involves the creative development of novel experimental methodologies and the application of membrane mimetic systems, site-specific vibrational probes, and time-resolved spectroscopic approaches, with specific systems including Shaker K⁺ channels, pH-responsive membrane-insertion peptides, protein-polymer conjugates, and biomolecular dynamics in crowded, cell-like environments.

Responsibilities

• Experimental Design, Execution & Method Development: Design and perform experiments utilizing FTIR, SEIRAS, and 2D IR spectroscopy to investigate the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins and peptides. Develop and optimize advanced methodologies, including transient 2D IR and in-cell 2D IR in live mammalian cells, to probe conformational heterogeneity, hydration dynamics, and intermolecular interactions.

• Sample Preparation & Ion-Channel Investigation: Prepare and characterize lipid vesicles, membrane mimetics, nanodiscs, and synthetic/heterogeneous lipid membranes and peptide samples for spectroscopic studies. Investigate ion-channel regulation, selectivity, and membrane-insertion mechanisms—from native ion channels to synthetic artificial ion channels activated by lanthanide ions—using SEIRAS, 2D IR, and site-specific vibrational probes.

• Data Analysis & Computational Integration: Analyze multidimensional spectroscopic data using spectral lineshape and time-correlation-function analysis, numerical fitting, and multivariate statistical methods in MATLAB and Python. Integrate results with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and biophysical models describing protein folding, hydration-mediated regulation, and membrane interactions.

• Complex Characterization & Crowded Environments: Characterize protein-polymer conjugates, cell-penetrating peptides, and peptide-drug complexes relevant to drug delivery and membrane transport. Develop new experimental approaches for studying biomolecular dynamics in crowded and native-like cellular environments.

• Mentorship & Training: Mentor and train undergraduate and graduate students in advanced vibrational spectroscopy techniques, experimental design, sample preparation, and quantitative data analysis.

• Dissemination: Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physics or a closely related field

• Demonstrated proficiency in vibrational spectroscopy techniques, specifically two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS), including time-resolved and ultrafast nonlinear optical methods.

• Strong background in membrane biophysics, protein-lipid interactions, protein folding and conformational dynamics, and the principles of ion-channel gating and membrane protein structure.

• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python for spectral lineshape analysis, time-correlation functions, numerical fitting, and multivariate statistical analysis of high-dimensional spectroscopic data.

• Experience with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of proteins, peptides, and lipid membranes, with the ability to integrate computational results with experimental spectroscopic data.

• Solid grounding in physical chemistry, chemical physics, or biochemistry, including thermodynamics and kinetics of biomolecular systems and hydration-mediated regulation.

Salary Range

$61,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Laboratory-based position requiring regular use of chemical reagents and standard laboratory equipment

• Handling of hazardous materials in accordance with established safety protocols

• Combination of laboratory experiments, computational work, and data analysis

• Occasional extended hours to support experimental timelines and research deadlines

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Minimum of three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from referees outside of the University of Texas at Austin.

• 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.

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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.

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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. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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