Senior Research Assistant

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

Key Functions

Laboratory Research

·         Be proactive in planning and performing experiments both independently and as a team. Should be able to evaluate, interpret and troubleshoot the experiments with help from others. 

·         Background in cancer biology preferred with experience in immunological and molecular assays and mice and egg tumor models.  

·         Performs and supports in vitro cell experiments (Tumor Immunology and molecular biology assays) and in vivo animal models of cancer. 

·         Knowledge in the following procedures is preferred

·         Breeding and genotyping of transgenic mouse models of cancer

·         Orthotopic and subcutaneous flank mice models in Head and Neck Cancer

·         Treatment and survival mice studies (involving radiation and therapeutic injections) and necropsy to collect tumors and tissues from mice

• Immunohistochemistry on frozen and paraffin tissue sections
• Flow cytometry analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment
• FACS/MACS cell sorting or enrichment of immune populations
• Cell/tissue culture and Protein biochemistry

Other responsibilities

·         Performs and coordinates scientific experiments in a collaborative effort with other technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and staff members. Monitors workflow as it pertains to the need for supplies including ordering of all supplies, equipment maintenance and restocking.

·         Lab equipment monitoring and preventive maintenance. Responsible for assigned lab duties and general lab maintenance. 

·         Maintains all safety precautions and lab safety records and assures that safety procedures are implemented.  Assumes responsibility for training lab personnel in routine safety practices. Maintains updated chemical inventory and trains all lab members on safe chemical use.

·         Keeps updated and complete animal experimental records

·         Handles correspondence between husbandry and vet staff regarding mice health concerns

·         Performs, trains and assists all personnel with mice experiments, policies and procedures.

·         Handles ordering and shipping requests for the lab

• Responsible for assisting faculty and the research staff with data analysis and data interpretation, submitting and presenting (orally or posters) the research at conferences, departmental and lab meetings
• Contributes to the preparation of grants, proposals, analytical reports, and manuscripts for publication of data
• Clear and accurate communication in written and oral English

·         Other duties as assigned by PI and/or department laboratory manager.