The lab of Howard Ochman is seeking a reliable volunteer undergraduate research assistant to help with
experimental studies of miniature bacteriophages. Please find the announcements below, and direct any
questions to kim.hammond@utexas.edu.
In this lab, students will learn a wide range of transferable lab skills, and gain first-hand experience in the
scientific research process. Students may have the opportunity for independent research pending interest
and performance. Also, students can develop a project for credit, as an independent study or honors project.
Positions can start immediately, 10 or more hours a week during weekdays from 9am-6pm, and applicants
should have 2-3 hour blocks of time available in their schedule. Preference will be given to students
of sophomore or junior class standing who can work with the lab for at least a year including the summer. This
opportunity is ideal for students interested in postgraduate research in biology. We will begin reviewing
applications on May 31, 2021.
Applicants need to be meticulous, well organized, and able to keep up-to-date records. Desired, but not required skills include previous working experience in a microbiology lab and basic lab skills (culturing techniques, pipetting, PCR, growth curves). Applicants need to be meticulous, well organized, and able to keep up-to-date records.
For full consideration please send the following to kim.hammond@utexas.edu:
• resume
• schedule of availability
• name & contact for at least two references
• brief summary of why you are interested in the position
• relevant courses & total GPA
Job duties will involve building bacteriophage genomes in-vitro or in a yeast recombination system and
subsequent production of viable phages by transformation into bacterial hosts. Students seeking this position
should be highly self-motivated and intellectually curious, with a strong interest in biology and/or
molecular techniques. This position may involve some computational bioinformatics work (i.e. primer design).
Experience with sterile technique and attention to details is highly preferred.
