Senior Research Assistant - Cancer Biology

The Cancer Biology department has a long history of being a leader in the field of basic and translational cancer biology research. The department emphasizes the training of students, postdoctoral fellows and clinical fellows in the fundamentals of tumor biology to improve the outcomes of patients with malignancies. The department has built a program with close ties to many clinical departments to facilitate information exchange between the laboratory and the clinic. As such, faculty in the department are investigators on NIH funded collaborative cancer biology research grants. In addition, there are several physician-scientists who have joint appointments in Cancer Biology, facilitating the exchange of clinically-relevant information between the laboratory and the clinic.

The primary purpose of this Senior Research Assistant position is to coordinate and conduct experiments in human cell culture systems, and carry out research projects in molecular and biomedical biology related fundamental mechanism of cancer and disease development, with emphasis on fluorescence microscope techniques.

The ideal candidate will have experience with human cell culture and microscopes.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Will receive training and expected to perform the following techniques:

• Specialized assay systems using fluorescence microscope techniques.
• Cell culture experiments, cell survical assays, basic and original genome instability experiments, basic and advanced molecular biology techniques (RNA, DNA and protein) including Western blotting and PCR, others as research demands.
• Cell culture experience derived from patient samples (blood, skin punches, tumor etc).
• Willing to learn and perform basic and advanced molecular techniques.
• Accurate pipet technique, follow protocols and perform accurate calculations as needed for the conduct of the work.
• Maintain accurate, detailed records and experimental data and protocols.
• 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 analyses and presents data obtained to PI in accordance with methods requested.
• Communicates and summarize results for presentations, peer reviewed publications and internal communications.

• Performs common lab routine maintenance as needed.
• Other duties as required.

Education

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

Preferred: Master'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 with human cell culture and microscopes. Experience with molecular biology techniques including DNA sequencing, Western Blot, PCR, and tissue culture.