Sr. Research Scientist, Center Host Genetics

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY

Works under broad direction to plan, organize, direct, and participate in work of major research project in field of specialization for which incumbent is particularly qualified by virtue of extensive training and experience.

The Zhao Zhang Lab is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to lead translational research on the molecular mechanisms of metabolic disease and therapeutic target discovery. This position will involve development and execution of molecular, cellular, and in vivo studies to support target validation, assay development, screening, and mechanistic investigation in metabolic disorders. The scientist will independently design and conduct experiments, analyze complex datasets, and help drive research strategy in a collaborative academic environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in metabolic disease research, signaling biology, molecular biology, and mouse models, with experience contributing to translational discovery programs.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. with substantial postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in metabolism, endocrinology, cell signaling, or related biomedical fields. A strong background in molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, assay development, CRISPR-based genome editing, screening approaches, and mouse studies in metabolic disease is preferred. Experience in translational research and target validation is preferred; experience in GPCR biology is a plus.

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

Education

• PhD with major coursework in field of assignment or
• Master's Degree with major coursework in field of assignment or
• Bachelor's Degree with major coursework in field of assignment

Experience

• 6 years research experience in field of assignment; including at 1 year at the level of Research Scientist or its equivalent with a PhD or
• 9 years research experience in field of assignment; including at least 2 years at level of Research Scientist or its equivalent with Master's degree or
• 12 years of research experience in field of assignment; including at least 4 years at level of Research Scientist or its equivalent with Bachelor's degree

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities4

• Work requires exercise of considerable judgment.
• Work requires need to establish mutual agreement or understanding of elements involved.
• Work requires personal contact with representatives of outside private and governmental organizations to make periodic reports to, or to obtain their support, assistance, or cooperation in, matters affecting large-scale programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working Conditions

Extreme cold

Extreme heat

Hazards

Laboratory Setting

PACT STATEMENT

The following is the acronym, "PACT", and is funamental to all non-clinical positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

P-Problem Solving: Employees take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently, and to the satisfaction of customers, or managers. They show initiative in addressing areas of concern before they become problems.

A-Ability, Attitude and Accountability: Employees exhibit ability to perform their job and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner reflecting a professional environment readily assuming obligations in a dependable and reliable manner.

C-Communication, Contribution, and Collaboration: Who are our Customers? Anyone who requests our help, needs our work product, or receives our services. Employees focus on customer service with creative solutions while improving the customer experience through clear, cou