"Research Specialist I (McHugh)"

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing:

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment. We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The McHugh Lab in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University seeks to hire a Research Specialist I laboratory technician to support research focused on the development of novel vaccine and drug delivery platforms. At a high level, the McHugh Lab is focused on the development of translational drug delivery platforms with the potential to address a variety of conditions ranging from prophylaxis for infectious diseases to cancer therapies.

This position will support an interdisciplinary research project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focused on the development of controlled-release vaccine delivery systems. The research aims to enable combination vaccines by using particle-based encapsulation strategies to offset antigen release timing and mitigate immunological interference between co-delivered vaccines. In particular, the project involves encapsulating a next-generation polio vaccine within microparticles fabricated using the Particles Uniformly Liquified and Sealed to Encapsulate Drug (PULSED) platform, in coordination with a soluble vaccine component.

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and senior lab members, the Research Specialist I will assist with microparticle fabrication, in vitro release studies, biochemical characterization of vaccine stability, and in vivo experimental work, as well as data collection and analysis. The role requires close collaboration with postdoctoral researchers and graduate students and provides hands-on experience in biomaterials-based vaccine delivery within a multidisciplinary academic research environment.

More information about the McHugh Lab can be found here.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field and is interested in gaining hands-on research experience in translational vaccine and drug delivery systems. They are detail-oriented, reliable, and comfortable working in a laboratory environment under supervision, following established protocols, learning new techniques, and collaborating effectively with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty on interdisciplinary research projects.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:

$46,000 – $52,900
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.*
This position is a one-year appointment funded by grant, soft, and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on satisfactory performance and renewal of funding.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, chemical engineering, biology, chemistry, or a related field
• 1+ years of relevant laboratory experience, including hands-on wet lab work
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on a year-for-year basis

Skills:

• Ability to perform laboratory techniques accurately and reproducibly following written protocols
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Basic data analysis and record-keeping skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively within a research team
• Commitment to laboratory safety and compliance standards

Preferences:

• Familiarity with biomaterials, drug delivery, or immunology concepts
• Experience with assays such as ELISA or other biochemical characterization techniques
• Exposure to in vitro or in vivo experimental work
• Interest in translational research and vaccine development

Essential Functions:

• Fabricate and process polymer-based microparticles using established laboratory protocols
• Conduct in vitro release studies to evaluate controlled-release vaccine delivery systems
• Perform biochemical assays, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), to assess vaccine stability and performance
• Assist with in vivo studies in accordance with approved protocols and institutional guidelines
• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data; maintain accurate laboratory records
• Prepare reagents, materials, and equipment for experiments; support general laboratory operations
• Follow established safety, compliance, and quality control procedures
• Collaborate effectively with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other lab members
• Perform other research-related duties as assigned to support ongoing projects

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.