Summary

The Center for Biomedical Engineering & Nano-Biophotonics in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery is seeking an experienced Research Assistant II to utilize their skills toward planning, developing, assisting and conducting experiments utilizing cutting-edge optical and laser-based instrumentation for medical diagnostic and therapeutic interventions involving animal and/or human subjects. The ideal candidate will have experience using diode laser sources, fiber optics, and high-power fiber optic connectors, conducting benchtop laser diagnostic and treatment procedures involving ex vivo tissues and animal models, assisting during cardiovascular interventional experimental procedures involving swine and rabbit animal models, be familiar with operation of veterinary anesthesia machines, Abbott iStat machine, and C-arm x-ray imager for use during experimental animal procedures, testing blood samples for measurement of activated clotting time (ACT) during procedures with live animal subjects, and using imaging samples using advanced microscopy instrumentation including second harmonic generation (SHG), two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF), and coherence anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS).

Research Assistant II performs responsible research work of a complex nature that requires establishing test methods and procedures as well as planning, completing, and occasionally supervising limited research projects in accordance with general plans approved by the supervisor.

Job Duties

• Plan, construct and test laser-based diagnostic imaging experiments involving animal and human subjects.
• Conduct imaging experiments and operate instrumentation of animal and human subjects including Optical Coherence Tomography and Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging.
• Develop and trouble-shoot laboratory instrumentation that incorporate and utilize optical spectrometers and fiber optics.
• Conduct experiments and analyze reflectance data from animal and human subjects recorded using optical spectroscopy instrumentation.
• Prepare and conduct tests using murine and rabbit animal models.
• Machine small-sized metallic part utilizing a lathe and/or milling machine for use in laser diagnostic and therapeutic experiments.
• Prepare the surgical theatre prior to cardiovascular animal interventional procedures.
• Transport anesthetized animal subjects to the surgical theatre and setup including attaching leads and monitoring lines and securing the animal to the surgical table.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
• Three years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in basic science or a related field.