Sr Research Assistant - Clinical Cancer Prevention - Research

The primary purpose of the Senior Research Assistant position is to perform a variety of complex sample preparation and analysis procedures to quantitatively measure biomarkers of disease in a variety of human samples such as plasma, serum, and cells, using a variety of technological platforms.

WORK ACTIVITIES

1. Research Design, Planning, Coordination & Evaluation:

· * Executes biomarker discovery assays including pre-analytical methods for LC-MS assays and immunoassays.

· * Assists the Scientific Managers and other postdoctoral scientists in developing protocols for cell biology assays.

· * Tests cohorts of plasma, cell lines, and tumor samples following protocols.

· * Maintains clear record of all experimental work performed in laboratory notebooks and completes all documentation with clear and accurate language.

· * Compiles, reviews, writes reports, and presents in working group meetings.

· * Prepares stock solutions and buffers orders necessary reagents, laboratory supplies for future experiments in a timely manner.

· * Performing and assisting in animal experiments (mouse, breeding, weening, bleeding, tissue harvesting, injections, downstream processing and analysis). * * * Performs animal maintenance (safety protocols and standards, record keeping of animal inventory).

· * Performs other duties as assigned.

Communication and Team Work:

· * Asks critical and insightful questions to drive decision making and persuasively conveying solutions to a broad range of team members.

· * Communicates with laboratory scientists, clinical researchers, and field experts extensively and understands their needs and contributes to the study designs of ongoing projects.

· * Works closely with other lead scientists to execute the assays.

* * Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Must be able to work evenings, weekends, as needed. Requires the ability to adapt to changing conditions in situations and priorities that may be characterized by high stress levels, such as project deadlines. Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, budget and prioritize time and workload, address spontaneous issues and problems, resolve conflicts, and make decisions. The position also requires one to anticipate needs, to recognize situations requiring assistance and have the ability to refer or perform any necessary tasks, and to comprehend the goals of the program and take the initiative in making decisions and taking actions to further these goals.

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: Bench work experience in a research biology and / or chemistry laboratory.

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