Research Scientist

Research Scientist

While encompassing the overall mission of MD Anderson Cancer Center, the particular goals of the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology are to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and to advance the treatment and prevention of aerodigestive cancers through innovative clinical and laboratory research. Our investigations involve many of the most promising molecularly-targeted agents and combinations of agents currently known. We emphasize rigorous study conduct and impeccable study design, and many of our studies have been developed through cooperative group mechanisms. The Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology staff directly responsible for patient care is comprised of 18 physicians, 12 research nurses, two inpatient mid-level providers, and 12 outpatient mid-level providers. Our physician team includes twelve physicians who care only for thoracic medical oncology patients in the Thoracic Center, two head/neck and 5 medical oncologists who treat both lung cancer and head/neck cancer patients in those respective outpatient clinic areas.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Participate in scientific research projects.

-Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, develop and design projects and all experiments related to the project
-Independently perform all aspects of the experiments, which may include animal experiments, ELISAs, ELISpots, PCR, IHC, cell culture, and flow cytometry.
-Designs, organizes and performs animal work and protocols.
-Performs animal surgery.
-Participate in adopting new techniques and learning new skills to enhance research efforts.
-Maintain assertiveness and flexibility in approaching new techniques and responsibilities, utilizing good work habits and time management.
-Maintain alertness and careful attention to avoid injury to self and others due to chemicals and hazardous materials in the laboratory.
-Plan and supervise the training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory techniques, the use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures.
-Monitor and anticipate laboratory needs in terms of equipment and supplies.
-Prepare oral and written reports about the progress of various projects.

Maintain good, detailed experimental records, evaluate resulting research data, and present findings.

-Maintain an up-to-date, organized, and legible laboratory journal that records all experiments in detail and ensure that subordinates do the same.
-Utilize image analysis system and/or microscope to analyze data and examine results.
-Compile, write, and submit project results to supervisor.
-Prepare scientific documents for publication.
-Present findings of research projects to professional groups.

Maintain & manage a functional laboratory.

-Supervises the use of laboratory equipment and implements safety procedures. Monitors use of shared equipment.
-Supervises laboratory personnel safety procedures according to MDACC and Environmental Health and Safety procedures.
-Prepares weekly orders and budgets to provide to the Principal Investigator.
-Will be responsible for IBC and ACUF registrations while maintaining up-to-date active compliant protocols.
-Will be responsible for overall laboratory safety to pass yearly laboratory safety inspection by MDACC Environmental Health and Safety.
-Attends monthly lab manager meetings and maintains assigned departmental equipment, staff trainings, and coordinates repairs/calibrations.

Work closely with other staff members.

-Maintain good working relationship with other researchers and technicians.
-Train and supervise new technicians and other laboratory personnel in proper laboratory techniques, the use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures
-Explain to staff members the scientific protocols currently being employed in the laboratory

Perform immunoassays.

-Perform functional immunoassays such as tumor/T cell recognition and killing assays, ELISAs, ELISpots, multicolor flow cytometry and culture of T cells and other immune cell types.

Other duties as assigned

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

Education Preferred: PhD in Immunology

Experience Required: 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