Instructor, Research Faculty Appointment (RFA), Immunology

Position Description
Title:      Instructor, Research Faculty Appointment Division:    Division of Discovery Science 
Department:  Department of Immunology
Summary
Instructor will conceive, develop, and implement innovative translational cancer immunology 
research studies that fulfill the mission goals defined by the Department of Immunology. The 
faculty must perform within the context of an intense interpersonal environment that emphasizes 
collegial and team building approaches to manage personnel and other resources.
Organizational
This position will report to Professor of Immunology.

Duties and Responsibilities

Activity                        Percent Effort

C Clinical Activities - 0%
A Administrative Activities - 0%
R Research Activities - 95%
E Education Activities - 5%
S  Service (extramural – outside of MD Anderson)

I.   Research

A.   The faculty will devise and maintain innovative research programs with a commitment to the 
highest quality performance and productivity standards. The faculty must be a self‐motivated 
professional who strives to communicate and interact academically, technically and administratively 
with colleagues by appropriate use of telecommunication, electronic, oral and written methods.

B.   The faculty will conceive research hypotheses and generate written proposals that are fundable 
through intramural and extramural agencies. These proposals should maintain the highest possible 
standard for achievement by establishing reasonable goals that exhibit commitments to the mission 
and vision of institution. This process will require appropriate research development, integration 
and analysis. The faculty member is responsible for overall grant management of such awards and 
must comply with and adhere to the approved procedures and protocols for application and oversight 
mechanisms maintained by both the intra‐ and extra‐institutional grants and contracts agencies.
C.   The faculty will optimize research protocols, design and conduct experiments, and analyze and 
interpret data from both routine and high‐throughput studies.

Responsibilities will include conducting literature reviews, preparing and submitting manuscripts 
to peer‐reviewed journals, and applying for grants and fellowships. The faculty will maintain 
accurate and organized records of experimental procedures and results in laboratory notebooks, 
electronic systems, and institutional repositories. In addition, the faculty will prepare and 
deliver presentations of research findings in laboratory meetings, institutional forums, and 
scientific conferences.

D.   The faculty must demonstrate the ability to successfully manage and develop research personnel 
under their supervision. This requires strong interpersonal and team management skills, as well as 
establishing fair and objective performance review measures.

E.   The faculty must be familiar with and fully adhere to all institutional/departmental 
biohazard, safety, and administrative policies/procedures and is responsible for upholding these in 
the conduct of their research.
F.   The faculty will serve in an exemplary and ethical manner as a role model to colleagues, 
students, and staff.
G.   As requested, the faculty will visually review, understand, synthesize, interpolate, summarize 
and/or provide editorial commentary on manuscripts, grants, research literature, or professional 
communications, verbally, electronically or by other methods.

II.   Extramural

A.   The faculty will attend institutional meetings and serve on committees as requested. This may 
include walking to meeting(s), listening to meeting deliberations, and reporting meeting outcomes 
in an appropriate manner. The faculty will provide appropriate feedback and information exchange 
regarding meeting progress and outcomes.

B.    The faculty will present relevant research findings through publication in high‐ impact, 
peer‐reviewed journals. Additionally, this faculty member is obligated to clearly and concisely 
communicate his/her research goals, efforts and findings by continuously working to achieve 
excellence in written style and oral delivery. The faculty will participate on peer review panels, 
editorial boards, grant study sections and site visit organizations as appropriate. The faculty 
will make every effort to present his/her findings in the most favorable venue while observing the 
institutional guidelines for disclosure. This may involve many forms of travel to local, state, 
national and international settings. The faculty will participate, as requested, in national 
scientific organizations, committees and conferences.

C.   The faculty will represent the Department in local, regional, state, national and 
international matters designated and pertaining to the field of pediatrics.

III.  Education
A.   The faculty will assume other educational responsibilities as requested by Departmental and/or 
Divisional leadership.

B.   The faculty will endeavor to willingly demonstrate the ability to perform within an intense 
interpersonal context that emphasizes team building and mentorship may encompass academic, 
clinical, and/or administrative personnel.
Supervision: The faculty member reports to the Department of Immunology.

Education:  Ph.D. or M.D. in an appropriate field

Experience:  At least 2 years postdoctoral experience preferred (unless not required for 
discipline) or equivalent time as a basic scientist
Working Conditions

The performance of all expected outcomes is measured by observation, feedback from co‐ workers, the 
accuracy and timeliness of work produced, and demonstration of the ability to effectively work 
under stress and anticipate needs. The ability to deal effectively with a variety of individuals 
and situations is essential.
The faculty member must have a strong command of the English language and be able to communicate 
well verbally and in writing. The faculty member must be able to understand verbal and written 
directions. Must be able to respond and assist other employees and visitors.

The faculty member must have the ability to manually record data, and maintain an organized work 
environment requiring bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, etc.
The laboratory environment will involve exposure to hazardous equipment and materials, as
well as animals.

This position has a target base salary of $65,000 to $80,000 and is eligible for incentive compensation, comprehensive health, wellness, time off, savings, and retirement benefits, as well as relocation support, as applicable.