Research Assistant II - Cancer Biology

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.

The primary purpose of the Research Assistant II is to coordinate and conduct experiments and carry out research projects in varied areas of chemistry, biology, physics and other biomedical or related basic science areas. Construct, assemble and operate laboratory apparatus and equipment. Read literature and confer with superiors regarding new procedures and modify them according to the needs of the project. Records and evaluates data obtained in accordance with methods requested.

Key Functions

Lab and Animal Studies

• Exercises considerable imagination, initiative and inventiveness in planning and executing the details of experiments/studies and in evaluating and interpreting the results.

• Performing laboratory studies using complex techniques including flow cytometry, tissue culture (maintaining mammalian cells, growth assays, drug response assays, transfection and viral infection), nucleic acid extraction, PCR, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

• Performing animal studies including in utero lentiviral injection, grafting, surgeries, genotyping, injecting tumor cells, monitoring and recording progress of experiments, dosing animals with drugs, animal imaging, necropsy, preparation of tissue samples for histological processing. Animals include "nude" and conventional mice.

Techniques and Records

• Responsible for major participation in the development and revision of techniques, assembles and operates laboratory apparatus and equipment.

• Orders and organizes supplies for the laboratory.

• Performs regular monitoring of safety standards in the laboratory, maintains records of hazardous materials.

Reports and Grants

• Collaborates or assists with supervisor and senior research staff with preparation of reports and grant requests.

Laboratory Organization and Monitoring

• Orders and organizes supplies for the laboratory.

• Performs regular monitoring of safety standards in the laboratory, maintains records of hazardous materials.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.

Preferred: Master's degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.

Experience

Required: Two years experience in scientific or experimental research work. No experience required with preferred degree.

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