Institute Research Scientist - Translational Biology

Within The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lies a powerful engine driving the future of new therapies: the Therapeutics Discovery Division. Therapeutics Discovery eliminates the bottlenecks that hamper traditional drug discovery, with a multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers, doctors, drug developers and scientific experts working together to develop small-molecule drugs, biologics, cellular therapies, and radiopharmaceuticals. Our unique structure and collaborative approach allow the team to work with agility, bringing novel medicines from concept to clinic quickly and efficiently – all under the same roof.

The Therapeutics Discovery Division is built around multiple platforms: The Institute for Applied Cancer Science (IACS), ORBIT (Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation), TRACTION (Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology), the Neurodegeneration Consortium, and most recently, RADIATE (Radiopharmaceuticals for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy).

The RADIATE platform is an industrialized translational research unit that aligns world-class radiopharmaceutical drug discovery and development with highly innovative science and clinical care research. Through an investment in patient-centric research, we have developed the infrastructure, platforms, and capabilities to enable transformative research, partnering with leading clinical research scientists and physicians for which MD Anderson is known. RADIATE’s approach combines large scale data science, innovative cancer genetics, disruptive radiopharmaceutical technologies, deep mechanistic biology, disease modeling, and pharmacology to accelerate the translation of novel discoveries.

As part of our mission, RADIATE is focused on partnering with our internal drug discovery engine (IACS, ORBIT, Biologics Development and Cell Therapies, TRACTION) and a growing list of external Partners to discover and develop the next generation of radionuclide theranostics, all driven by the needs we see in our patients.

We work in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment with a focus on team science and interdisciplinary research. Our unique approach has created a biotech-like engine within the walls of the nation’s leading cancer center to bring life-saving medicines to our patients more quickly and effectively. This model already has achieved results, with multiple programs currently in clinical and late-stage preclinical development.

SUMMARY

The Institute Research Scientist in Translational Biology participates in cross-functional research to validate novel oncology targets and applies deep biological insights to then translate these findings into novel oncology therapeutic agents to benefit patients.

KEY FUNCTIONS:
1. Independently applies and develops a multi-disciplinary cadre of cutting-edge tools and methodologies to enable advancement of RADIATE projects through leadership and experimental activities.
2. Integrates with cross-functional teams to present research findings, interpret data, and develop solutions while making data driven decisions on program advancement.
3. Collaboratively designs, executes, and interprets in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo experiments with others on the Drug Discovery Biology team to validate and explore therapeutic potential of drug targets and drive therapeutic development programs.
4. Works with research and bioinformatics teams to utilize internal biological and oncogenomic data sets to generate and test biological hypotheses.
5. Analyzes data generated by various studies and leverages results for the design of future studies; integrates data to identify genes/pathways pertinent to tumor development and treatment; adapts to new technologies and find solutions to related program studies.
6. Work with medicinal chemistry, radiochemistry, and pharmacology teams as part of drug discovery efforts to validate targets and novel radiopharmaceutical therapeutics.
7. Collaborate on drug discovery biology efforts to the selection of lead candidate molecules and transition into clinical development.
8. Provide support in the development and implementation of biomarker strategies to guide early clinical development of drugs.
9. Design and develop cell and molecular assays to define mechanism of action for compounds, identify pharmacodynamic assays to be used in pre-clinical and clinical setting and test patient selection strategies.
10. Develop extensive knowledge and experience in key areas of tumor biology including, but not limited to radiation biology, oncogenic signaling, tumor microenvironment, tumor immunology, metabolism, epigenetic deregulation, or apoptosis.
11. Interpret, present, and report research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
12. Maintain high laboratory standards regarding quality and safety.
13. Employ safe lab practices.
14. Maintain research records and laboratory notes.
15. Draft and maintain regulatory protocols for animal studies.
16. Coordinate and develop logistical plan for animal studies in partnership with internal groups.
17. Coordinate and develop toxicity study for IND-enabling objectives on RADIATE programs

Other duties as assigned. 

CORE COMPETENCIES

Analytical Thinking - Gather relevant information systematically; break down problems into simple components; make sound decisions. Innovative Thinking - Approach problems with curiosity and open-mindedness; offer new ideas, solutions and/or options.

Self-Adaptability - Work in situations involving uncertainty, shifting priorities, and rapid change; deal constructively with mistakes and setbacks; demonstrate flexibility.

Self-Confidence - Recognize own knowledge, skills, and abilities; respond to challenging situations with confidence; understand limits in self. Team with Others - Initiate, develop, and manage relationships and networks; encourage collaboration and input from all team members; value the contributions of all team members; balance individual and team goals. 

Technical/Functional Expertise

Demonstrate technical proficiency required to do the job; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession; provide technical expertise to others.

Coach and Develop - Assess strengths and development needs of employees; provide challenging development opportunities; provide relevant, timely feedback; mentor others.

Service Orientation
1. Provide service to our customers, including patients, patient caregivers, referring physicians, external partners, and each other, in a reliable, responsive, safe, friendly, and courteous manner.
2. Promotes collegiality by demonstrating respect and professionalism to others at all times.
3. Models safe, ethical behavior, mitigating risk to the institution through sound business practices, and adherence to MD Anderson's Standards of Conduct, institutional policies and procedures.
4. Meets time and attendance expectations and responds to requests in a timely manner, communicating expectations for procedures, service arrival, or project deliverables to patients and coworkers.
5. Admits when wrong, apologizes, and take steps to resolve a situation to help to patients and coworkers before being asked.

People Leadership

1. Provides development opportunities and ongoing feedback to employees.
2. Provides clear direction and communication to employees within unit.
3. Demonstrates social intelligence by pursuing awareness of the values and beliefs of self and others, and exercises cultural competence to interact effectively with cross-functional teams of employees with multicultural backgrounds.