Research Associate

Join a federally funded clinical and translational research laboratory conducting active human subjects research across a portfolio that spans immune resilience, biological aging, military performance, infection, asthma, exercise physiology, heat stress, and trauma. The laboratory’s work generates data that supports ongoing scientific investigation and published research in multispecialty journals including Nature Communications and Aging Cell .

The Research Associate will contribute to the direct execution of these programs with substantial independent judgment within established protocols. This position may be filled at multiple education and training levels, including candidates with a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related scientific field (with research experience), candidates with a master’s degree, and candidates with a doctoral (PhD) degree. The specific appointment will be calibrated to the candidate’s background and the laboratory’s current scientific and operational needs.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory personnel, the Research Associate will carry responsibility for the operational conduct of specific research activities within the laboratory’s active portfolio. Core responsibilities include participant recruitment and enrollment, obtaining informed consent in accordance with IRB-approved procedures, executing study visits across the laboratory’s human subjects protocols, performing physiological monitoring and environmental exposure assessments, collecting and processing biospecimens, maintaining accurate study records, contributing to protocol refinement and procedural documentation, and supporting less-senior laboratory staff as needed.

The Research Associate works at a level of independence that reflects practical familiarity with the laboratory’s protocols and standards. The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator, co-investigators, postdoctoral fellows, research coordinators, and clinical collaborators across UT Health San Antonio and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The role offers substantive engagement with clinical research methodology, biomarker science, physiological monitoring, and the operational discipline of federally funded clinical research.

Responsibilities The lab is currently engaged in exciting, state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary projects focused on infection, aging, asthma, and exercise, and job duties are aligned with these research initiatives. Plans, designs and implements research experiments according to established protocols to assure high quality scientific results in support of project goals. Conducts experiments and studies and assesses outcome; adapts continued studies based on the organization of findings.

Presents data in organized, readable formats including written reports and graphical summaries, account for relevant supplies and ordering them as needed and other activities related to each project. Conducts library and topical research pertinent to projects. Writes and prepares final papers to support findings; submits evidence for publication.

Assures compliance with institutional policies, rules and regulations to meet federal, state and local standards and codes pertaining to safety and ethics. Performs all other duties as assigned. Qualifications Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.

Demonstrated ability to monitor important and complex projects concurrently. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Lotus Notes/other email software. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, to include writing and preparing memorandums, letters, and other official correspondence.

Bachelor's Degree degree in a specialized field of study is required.

Four (4) years of experience is required.

Full time