Research Scientist

Research Scientist

The Breast Medical Oncology department has missions of research, patient care, education and prevention for women and men diagnosed with breast cancer in addition to training the next generation of physicians, clinicians and clinical scientists for cancer research.

Along with clinical research initiatives, we strive to understand the biology and development of breast cancer through basic and translational science, bringing new knowledge in disease prevention and treatment into our patient care in the Nellie B. Connally Breast Center.

SUMMARY:

Reviews, evaluates and correlates research data. Prepares data and information related to protocols, grants, abstracts, and manuscript submissions. Writes and prepares publications and reviews analyses and interpretations of data.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists principal investigator with translational and scientific research projects by planning, executing and analyzing laboratory experiments, demonstrating initiative and imagination.
• Functions in a separate and independent manner in the design and initiation of research experiments.
• Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.
• Determines specific goals or objectives to be obtained, evaluates research data and develops and revises techniques or approaches to work problems.
• Plans training and research work activity for assigned laboratory and research personnel.
• Supervises the use of laboratory equipment and implements safety procedures. Attends safety courses as required by MDACC. Wears laboratory coat and protective gloves and goggles while working with chemicals. Respects and adheres to the rules and regulations as dictated by the Department, the Radiation Safety Office and the Institution.
• Compiles, writes and submits project results to chief section..
• Process and analyze data for writing and publishing manuscript.
• Performs purification of protein, DNA and RNA from cell lines and tissues. Performs Elisa assay. Able to perform Western blotting, Northern, Southern blotting assays, PCR, and immunohistochemistry on cell lines and tumor tissue.
• Maintains records of all experiments in an organized fashion. Sits in attendance at weekly laboratory meetings and participates in verbal group discussion clearly and in an understandable manner; reports progress either verbally or with handwritten notes recorded in laboratory notebook. Receives direction from supervisor for the coming week's experiments. Uses word processing and spreadsheet software programs as well as graphic and statistical programs to create charts, posters and spreadsheets and presents results of reports via computer to supervisor and group.
• Maintains adequate stock of laboratory supplies and orders items as required. Contacts vendors to make inquiries about availability and price of required items. Informs purchasing department if orders are received incorrectly and completes necessary forms to return goods. If order received from Materials Management is incorrect, must inform them by telephone and sign appropriate document at time of pickup.
• Conducts library work and learns new research techniques relevant to the project. Finds and photocopies scientific journal articles as required. Reads scientific articles related to experiments being conducted. Displays good reading and comprehension skills as well as diligence, patience and willingness to learn.
• Collecting, processing, storing, cataloging and shipping blood and tissue samples for research projects. Provides research support of bio-specimen collection, processing specimen distribution for basic, translational and clinical research studies. Reconciliation and organizing data and records for submission of reports on specimen received. Processing samples include centrifugation of blood to obtain serum and plasma, labels, pipettes and transfer to appropriate containers and storing them in specified temperature. Collect tissue biopsies according to protocols. Record collection of samples and shipments.

Other duties as assigned.

Education Required: PhD in one of the natural sciences or related field or Medical degree

With PhD, no experience required. With Medical degree, two years of experience in experimental or scientific work.

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