HS Research Tech 3

Summary: Performs a range of standard to
moderately advanced and complex research assignments in an ophthalmology/vision
sciences research laboratory, following detailed protocols and parameters.
Conducts technically sophisticated tests and procedures involving ocular
tissues, cells, and animal models; prepares samples/specimens; and sets
up/operates specialized laboratory equipment or cell culture systems.
Independently executes assignments, provides preliminary data analyses and
summaries to principal investigators, and may offer guidance and training to
junior technicians, students, or interns.

Duties
and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates
  the setup, execution, and quality control of routine to complex
  experiments in ophthalmology research, including in vitro ocular cell
  cultures, ex vivo tissue preparations, animal models of eye disease
  (zebrafish and mice), or human sample processing, all within established
  protocol guidelines.
• Independently
  collects, compiles, manipulates, and analyzes research data, prepares
  preliminary reports, statistical summaries, and interpretations of results
  for investigators.
• Selects,
  modifies, adapts, or troubleshoots equipment and procedures to meet
  specific project needs in vision research; may contribute to the design of
  routine experiments, assay optimization, or development of testing
  protocols/instruments relevant to ocular studies.
• Participates
  in or provides input toward the development, refinement, and coordination
  of research protocols, data collection methods, or analysis pipelines
  specific to ophthalmology projects.
• Overseas
  and coordinates the utilization, calibration, maintenance, and inventory
  of ophthalmology research facilities, specialized equipment, and supplies
  to ensure operational readiness and compliance.
• Trains,
  instructs, and updates laboratory personnel (including students,
  technicians, or fellows) in specialized ophthalmology research techniques,
  safe equipment operation, and best practices for handling ocular samples.
• Provides
  technical guidance and mentorship to lower-level technicians or interns on
  assigned tasks, ensuring accuracy and adherence to protocols.
• Strictly
  adheres to laboratory safety, environmental, biosafety, and infection
  control standards, including proper handling of biohazards, animal tissues
  (if relevant), or human-derived samples.
• Performs
  miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned, such as literature reviews
  for protocol optimization or assisting with grant-related data
  preparation.

Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Ability
  to maintain rigorous quality, safety, biosafety, and infection control
  standards in a health sciences research environment.
• Advanced
  working knowledge of complex research techniques, instrumentation, and
  equipment relevant to ophthalmology/vision research.
• Proficiency
  in scientific research software for data analysis, statistical summaries,
  image processing/quantification, and report preparation (e.g., ImageJ,
  GraphPad Prism, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Solid
  understanding of scientific research methodology, experimental design, and
  data interpretation in the context of ocular biology or disease.
• Ability
  to develop, adapt, or modify research protocols and data analysis
  approaches to address specific ophthalmology project goals.
• Knowledge
  of laboratory facility/equipment use, maintenance, calibration, and
  troubleshooting, particularly for vision-research related instruments.
• Strong
  ability to provide technical guidance, training, and updating others.
• Excellent
  organizational, time management, and coordination skills to manage
  multiple experiments and deadlines.

Working
Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work
  may occasionally involve exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme
  temperatures (e.g., cold storage for samples), biohazards, dust, fumes, and
  chemical odors.
• Moderate
  physical activity required, including lifting up to 25 pounds (e.g.,
  equipment or sample transport), extended periods of standing/walking, and
  precise manual dexterity for handling delicate ocular samples or operating
  fine instrumentation.
• Occasional
  exposure to potentially hazardous materials or situations (e.g.,
  biological tissues, animal models, or laser-based imaging systems),
  requiring adherence to extensive safety protocols and use of personal
  protective equipment (PPE).

See the Position Description for additional information.

• For individual positions in which driving is a job requirement, a valid NM driver's license and valid UNM driver's permit will be required.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
• Annual TB testing may be required if working in a patient care area.

High school diploma or GED; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Bachelor's
  degree in biological science/vision science/related field, plus at least 5
  years of directly related research experience in a laboratory setting
  (ophthalmology, vision research, cell biology, molecular biology or
  equivalent preferred).
• Completed
  degree(s) from an accredited institution above the minimum education
  requirement may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience
  with ophthalmology-specific techniques or equipment (e.g., ocular imaging,
  tissue histology, and cell culture of ocular lineages) is highly desirable.

Only applications submitted through
the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job
advertisement on a 3rd party site, please
visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.