Research Assistant II - GI Medical Oncology

Research Assistant II - GI Medical Oncology

The Research Assistant II provides advanced technical and research support to the Gastrointestinal (GI) Department laboratory, contributing to cancer and translational research projects. Experience with organoid culturing, animal work including patient-derived xenografts (PDX), drug screening, and mouse handling is required.

The ideal candidate provides advanced technical expertise and research coordination in support of the core scientific objectives of the GI Department laboratory. This role integrates molecular biology, cell culture, and animal model systems to investigate cancer biology and therapeutic responses. The incumbent independently performs complex experimental procedures—including the culture and maintenance of 2D/3D cell models, generation and characterization of patient-derived xenografts and organoids, molecular and protein assays, and in vivo studies—while maintaining rigorous documentation, quality control, and safety standards. The position requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, meticulous attention to detail, and effective communication to ensure the reproducibility, reliability, and success of ongoing research projects. The Research Assistant II plays a key role in advancing translational discoveries that bridge fundamental research and clinical applications.

This is a 20 hour part-time position and the schedule will be 8am - 12pm. 

Minimum Salary: $45,000 | Midpoint Salary: $56,500 | Salary Maximum: $68,000

MD Anderson offers our employees:
- Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
- Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
- Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
- Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
- Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
- Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups.

Tissue Culture — Maintain established cell lines and an organized cell repository, including cell counting and viability assessments. Culture and maintain 3D patient- and iPSC-derived organoids, monitoring quality, morphology, and viability; optimize culture conditions for functional studies. Establish and expand patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and organoids (PDXO) from surgical or xenograft tissues. Handle transfected and genetically engineered cell lines to ensure stability, reproducibility, and proper characterization. Perform functional assays including drug response profiling, gene editing, imaging-based growth analysis, viability and proliferation assays, and transfections. Isolate PBMCs and plasma from patient blood, perform cryopreservation, and maintain an organized inventory.

Molecular Techniques — Conduct nucleic acid extraction (DNA, RNA), gel electrophoresis, buffer preparation, recombinant DNA cloning (transformation and mutagenesis), and real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) for gene expression analysis. Perform Western blotting, ELISA, and protein extraction to assess protein expression, post-translational modifications, and signaling pathways. Prepare biological specimens from animal models and patient clinical samples and perform histological experiments including dissecting mice, fixing and embedding tissues and immunostaining. Utilize flow cytometry and sorting to characterize and isolate specific cell populations based on surface markers and functional properties.

Mouse Models — Manage mouse colonies including breeding, genotyping, weaning, and health monitoring to support experimental needs. Perform tumor implantation, monitoring, and harvesting to generate material for PDX and PDXO establishment. Support in vivo experimental procedures such as tumor growth studies, drug treatment, and sample collection for downstream analyses. Ensure adherence to animal care guidelines.

Record Keeping — Maintain accurate, detailed records of experimental data and protocols in accordance with methods requested. This involves the use of computers to analyze, organize and plot data and for entry of data into databases.

Communication — Must be able to understand and carry out instructions both verbal and written. Must be able to communicate results as well as any potential problems with experiments, in a clear and understandable manner to the supervisor and in lab meetings. Must be able to read articles and references and develop step-by-step written procedures to conduct experiments as well as communicate this information to the supervisor and other lab members.

Safety — Must maintain a clean and orderly workplace. Must have the ability and willingness to observe and comply with all institutional rules and OSHA regulations regarding biohazard and radiation safety. Must have a working knowledge in the proper handling of hazardous chemicals such as phenol, ethidium bromide, acrylamide, and formamide. Must have a basic understanding of and willingness to work with radioisotopes.

General requirements — Working knowledge of various laboratory equipment and apparatus, basic techniques for handling chemicals and accurately prepare media, solutions, and reagents. An understanding of the basic scientific terminology and concepts central to cancer research. An ability to perform searches and retrieval of information both through the library and online. A willingness to learn new techniques, to cooperate with other staff, students, fellows, visitors, and collaborators, and to assist in other laboratory activities as needed.

Other duties as assigned.