Research Scientist Jobs in Texas
Research Scientist jobs in Texas are among the most active in the country, with strong demand from entry-level associates through principal and senior scientists concentrated in life sciences, energy technology, semiconductors, and defense research. Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin account for the largest share of openings, anchored by employers like ExxonMobil, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Texas Instruments, which maintain substantial research operations in the state. Computational biology, materials science, and petroleum geoscience are among the most in-demand specialties across Texas right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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SUMMARY
The primary purpose of the Research Scientist is to apply technical expertise and experience to plan, coordinate, design, supervise and carry out research projects within the department of Infectious Diseases.
The ideal candidate for the Research Scientist role in the Department of Infectious Diseases is an independent, detail-oriented scientist with strong expertise in microbiology and clinical research, capable of designing, leading, and executing complex research projects, including clinical trials. They demonstrate proven ability to supervise research personnel, coordinate study activities, manage subject recruitment and follow-up, and ensure regulatory compliance and safety standards. The candidate brings advanced analytical skills to evaluate data, develop innovative approaches, and translate findings into clear reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
They effectively collaborate with principal investigators while maintaining autonomy in initiating research efforts, contribute to grant writing and post-award management, and consistently maintain accurate documentation. Strong communication skills, scientific rigor, and a passion for advancing infectious disease research are essential to successfully drive meaningful outcomes and support departmental goals.
This is a onsite position working Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
KEY FUNCTIONS
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Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs and participates in scientific research projects including clinical trials.
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Oversees research activity of laboratory and clinical research personnel. Coordinates research studies, screens potential subjects and collects data. Follows up with research subjects including subjects on both clinical and laboratory protocols.
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Determines specific goals or objectives to be obtained, evaluates research data and develops and revises techniques or approaches to work problems.
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Functions in a separate and independent manner in the design and initiation of research projects. Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results. Responsible for laboratory equipment and implementing safety procedures.
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Leads, conducts and maintains accurate and up to date records of the work done. Performs timely data analysis in various fields of microbiology and infectious diseases with proper interpretation of data. Must be able to analyze data, prepare reports and present to a group of scientists or PI. Assists with the preparation of grant applications, scientific manuscripts and presentations.
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Presents findings of research projects to the principal investigator (PI) on a regular basis, and prepares scientific documents/manuscripts for publications and presentations based on the PI request he/she reports to.
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Coordinates execution of awards and renewals and post-award management and reporting.
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Compiles, writes, and submits reports to superior.
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Other duties as assigned.
Education
- Required: Master's Degree Natural sciences or related field.
- Preferred: PhD Natural sciences or Medical Degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Required: 4 years Experimental or scientific work.
- Required: 2 years Experimental or scientific work with medical degree.
- Required: No experience required with PhD.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.
Additional Information
- Requisition ID: 181458
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 68,500
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 85,500
- Maximum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 102,500
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Hard
- Work Location: Onsite
- Pivotal Position: No
- Referral Bonus Available?: No
- Relocation Assistance Available?: No
LI-Onsite
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Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Scientist Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The University of Texas at Austin13

- UT Southwestern Medical Center5

- Terracon Consultants4

- Tetra Tech4

- ExxonMobil3

Top Industries Hiring
- Education35
- Consulting & Professional Services19
- Healthcare & Medical Services9
- Technology & Software7
- Science & Research6
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across Texas.
- PhD or master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as chemistry, biology, or engineering
- Demonstrated research experience through publications, dissertations, or industry lab work
- Proficiency in data analysis tools and statistical software relevant to the specialty area
- Ability to design, execute, and document experiments or computational models independently
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary research teams in academic or industry settings
Research Scientist Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research scientist in Texas?
Most research scientist roles in Texas require at minimum a master's degree, with a PhD expected for independent or principal-level positions. Texas does not issue a state license specifically for research scientists, so hiring is driven by academic credentials, peer-reviewed publications, and specialized technical skills. Candidates pursuing biomedical or clinical research roles often work within institutions that hold federal research compliance certifications, and laboratory safety training recognized by Texas research employers strengthens any application.
Which companies hire research scientists in Texas?
Employers hiring research scientists in Texas right now include The University of Texas at Austin, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Terracon Consultants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Texas's concentration of energy majors, semiconductor manufacturers, and world-class medical research institutions means openings appear regularly across a broad range of scientific disciplines.
Which Texas cities have the most research scientist jobs?
Austin, Houston, and Dallas have the most research scientist openings in Texas. Houston leads because of its density of petrochemical, energy, and medical research employers, including the Texas Medical Center, while Dallas-Fort Worth draws openings from semiconductor, defense, and corporate R&D operations, and Austin's growing technology and biotech sector has made it an increasingly significant hiring hub for computational and materials scientists.
Are there remote research scientist jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because many research scientist roles require hands-on laboratory or field work. About 7% of research scientist openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, so a meaningful subset does exist. Computational research, bioinformatics, data science-adjacent roles, and scientific writing or research coordination positions are the areas where fully remote arrangements appear most frequently.
How can I get hired as a research scientist in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship or a research associate role at one of Texas's major research institutions, such as the University of Texas system, Baylor College of Medicine, or Rice University, which regularly bring on early-career scientists. Industry employers like ExxonMobil and Texas Instruments also hire research associates and junior scientists from those pipelines. Building a record of published or presented work and pursuing certifications in laboratory safety or specific analytical techniques gives candidates a meaningful edge over others at the same career stage.
Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Texas employers across industries and specialties. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 86 Research Scientist Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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