Sr Research Assistant- Symptom Research

MD Anderson's Department of Symptom Research is at the forefront of discovering new ways of identifying the symptoms and neurotoxicities associated with cancer and its treatment, the mechanisms underlying such symptoms and toxicities, and interventions that might reduce symptom severity or prevent symptom occurrence altogether. The department also advocates for policy change, awareness on the part of funding agencies, and broad incorporation of patient report in clinical studies, especially drug development trials. Because symptoms are subjective experiences, we believe that only the patient can truly know the severity, temporal pattern, quality, location and impact on activities and daily life that symptoms have — and that the patient’s voice must therefore be heard.

KEY FUNCTIONS

•    Processes tissues from rodents for further analysis.
•    Plans and performs assigned experiments.
•    Functions, under supervision, in the design and initiation of research experiments. These experiments include, but are not limited to, performing breeding and genotyping in mice, tracking tumor phenotypes and behavior patterns following protocols using Western blotting, RT-PCR, histologic analyses including immunohistochemistry, gene expression, and other approaches.
•    Prepares tissues sections and performs immunofluorescence analysis.
•    Isolates RNA and analyzes expression levels by PCR.
•    Performs live cell imaging or electrophysiological recordings from neurons.
•    Performs flow cytometry.
•    Assists with animal experiments and tissue collection as needed.
•    Records and evaluates data obtained in accordance with methods requested and reports the findings to the PI using Microsoft word, excel, and PowerPoint.

•    Trains research assistants, students, and new lab members in laboratory techniques and mice experiments. Exercises considerable imagination, initiative and inventiveness in planning and executing the details of experiments and in evaluating and  interpreting the results.
•    Supervises technicians in their work and assists them as assigned or delegated.
•    Assists with basic laboratory techniques and in preparation of media solutions, buffers and reagents.
•    Generate ongoing protocols for the work being done, and maintain and update the protocols
•    Supervises general laboratory management including the use of laboratory equipment and implements safety procedures.
•    Maintain active lab notes with duties and assignments performed
•    Takes responsibility for making minor amendments to the IRB, IBC and IACUC protocols.
•    Performs and coordinates scientific experiments in a collaborative effort with other technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and staff members.

•    Monitors work flow as it pertains to the need for supplies, equipment maintenance and stock solutions.

•   Equipment monitoring on a daily basis verifying correct temperatures of freezers, refrigerators, incubators, etc. 

•   Equipment maintenance on a weekly basis includes cleaning and disinfecting refrigerators and incubators. 
•   Daily counter clean up and disinfection to ensure safety of the laboratory work place. Bags waste and transports to appropriate refuse area utilizing safety standards and guidelines. Maintains all safety precautions.

•    Performs preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.
•    Responsible for conducting daily animal work using mouse models including: injects tumor cells, ear tag and prepare animals (weight, shave) for tumor cell injection, monitors tumor growth using IVIS system as well as measures tumor size by caliper, harvests tumor and other organs according to   animal protocol, Administer agents via IP, oral gavage and tail vein to study tumor growth inhibition with and without agent treatment.

•    Performs immunohistochemistry on frozen tissue sections.
•    Breeds and maintains transgenic mice colonies, and tail biopsy.
•    Handles correspondence between husbandry and vet staff regarding mice health concerns.
•    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 stock solutions.

•    Assists in Lab protocol management; MTAs, IBCs and Acufs.
•    Other duties as assigned.