Postdoctoral Associate – Texas

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HHMI is focused on supporting and moving science forward in a variety of different ways ranging from conducting basic biomedical research, empowering educators, inspiring students, developing the next generation of scientists – even stretching into film and media production.  Our Headquarters is in the greater Washington, DC metro area and is home to over 300 employees with expertise in investments, communications, digital production, biomedical sciences, and everything in between.  The work housed here supports and augments the groundbreaking research conducted in HHMI labs across the nation.  As HHMI scientists continue to push boundaries in laboratories and classrooms, you can be sure that your contributions while working here are making a difference.

Summary:  Performs a variety of research and/or laboratory tasks and experiments under general supervision. Analyzes data and records the results and conclusions of laboratory experiments. Interprets analytical data and prepares research reports.  May assist in the establishment of experimental protocols. Associates appointments are tied to a research program directed by the Investigator. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs research and/or development in collaboration with others for projects.

• Makes detailed observations, analyzes data, and interprets results

• Exercises technical discretion in the design, execution, and interpretation of experiments that contribute to project strategies.

• Prepares technical reports, summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses.

• Maintains familiarity with current scientific literature

• Contributes to project process within his/her scientific discipline.

• Investigates, creates, and develops new methods and technologies for project advancement.

• Maintains high level of professional expertise through familiarity with scientific literature.

• May participate in scientific conferences and contribute to scientific journals.

• Uses professional concepts in accordance with HHMI’s objectives to solve complex problems in creative and effective ways.

• May determine methods and procedures on new assignments and may provide guidance to staff in the laboratory.

In addition to the duties specifically identified by this job description, the position will include other duties if and as assigned by the direct supervisor or others with supervisory authority over this position.

Scope

• May supervise the activities of other staff within the laboratory

• Shares responsibility for results of a work unit or project team.  Intermediate term impact.  Individual able to manage own research project.  Due to the level of autonomy, errors are not always discovered in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. degree in a scientific discipline or MD degree

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated working knowledge of scientific principles

• Exercises independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results

• Ability to perform highly complex experiments with high levels of reliability and accuracy within time constraints

• Operational knowledge of advanced lab equipment

• Ability to provide work and supervise directions to others

• Ability to initiate and compose communications for various purposes in an appropriate style

• Ability to work successfully within a collaborative and collegial environment and foster this ability in others.
• Ability to review goals, analyze processes necessary to achieve those goals, and develop techniques and systems required to meet those goals.  Often explores new areas and seeks opportunities to apply new knowledge to work.

Physical Requirements

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more. 

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer