Skip to main content

This job has expired

Senior Research Assistant - Immunology

Employer
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Location
Houston, Texas
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jul 25, 2019

View more

Discipline
Life Sciences, Cancer Research
Organization Type
Healthcare/Hospital

Job Details

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to

eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding

programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through

education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals,

employees and the public.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

1. Tissue Culture

* Maintains and establishes tissue culture cell lines, which requires good sterile technique and ability to determine cell counts and cell viability using microscope and hemocytometer.

* Monitors, orders and shelves tissue culture supplies.

* Works with primary human leukocytes and sorts out the precious pDCs on a weekly basis.

* Establishes short-term cell cultures using human or mouse tissues.

* Some protocols require work on weekends/holidays and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure cell lines are maintained.

* Requires cultivation of viruses, must be willing to work with infectious organisms.

2. Laboratory Functions:

* Successfully completes training and certification by the Department of Veterinary Medicine to handle and work with lives animals, primarily mice, in a safe and humane manner, following institutional guidelines for disposal of dead animals, biohazards and used needles.

* Sets up breedings, transfers cages between rooms, ear tagging and tail snipping, and updating lab, breeding and genotyping records.

* Performs Basic to intermediate techniques in immunological research, including in vivo (assays of delayed-type hypersensitivity, contact hypersensitivity) and in vitro measurements of immune function (mitogen and antigen-induced blastogenesis, ELISA, Western blotting, SDS-PAGE gels).

* Requires a willingness to learn techniques for handling chemicals and low-level radioisotopes.

* Requires the ability to calculate molarity and accurately prepare media solutions and reagents.

* Uses acids and polyacrylamide solutions, flammable materials and other biohazards according to OSHA and institutional safety policies.

* Discusses goals of projects and strategy for attaining the goals with supervisor in clear and concise manner.

* Ensures safe and efficient functioning of the lab and pleasant work environment for self and others.

3. Lab Maintenance:

* Responsible for ordering laboratory animals, and maintaining up-to-date animal inventory.

* Maintains detailed written reports of experimental data and protocols.

* Responsible for ordering and maintaining laboratory supplies.

* Maintains lab work area and lab equipment, monitoring it daily to ensure the lab operates safely, is clean, and all equipment is in good working order; understands correct operation of all lab equipment, and follows written instructions/operations manuals.

4. Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:
Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field.

EXPERIENCE:
Required: Three years of experience in scientific or experimental research work. With preferred degree, one year of required experience.

Preferred: Experience working with mice.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html sonj

Company

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 2023 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert