Senior Research Assistant

The Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology staff directly responsible for patient care is comprised of 20 physicians, 13 research nurses, two inpatient mid-level providers and 10 outpatient mid-level providers. Our physician team includes nine physicians who care only for thoracic medical oncology patients in the Thoracic Center, one medical oncologist who treats head/neck patients in the Head/Neck Center and 10 medical oncologists who treat both lung cancer and head/neck cancer patients in those respective outpatient clinic areas.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

To organize and perform routine laboratory procedures:

-Learn ongoing techniques in the laboratory and become proficient in planning, executing, and troubleshooting these techniques.
-Participate in adopting new techniques and learning new skills to enhance lab 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.

Tissue Culture:

-Maintains and establishes culture of human and murine cells, which require rigorous sterile techniques. Must have the ability to observe and identify cell changes under the microscope, determine cell counts and cell viability.
-Prepares sterile media and solutions. Purify cells by various methods and monitor cells for proliferation and activation by standard laboratory methods.
-Prepare cells for cryogenic storage.
-The above requires using the microscope for prolonged periods, working for prolonged periods with hands extended under a flow hood and lifting cases (

Molecular and Cellular Biology:

technical and theoretical experience in the following is desired:
-RNA/DNA isolation, PCR and quantitative real-time PCR
-Protein isolation, immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, ELISA
-Cell viability and proliferation assays
-Application of flow cytometry multicolor staining panels. Compensation experience will be positively considered.
-Application of flow cytometry for apoptosis, cell cycle analysis
-siRNA, shRNA, CRISPR/CAS knock-down experiments
-Produce, manipulate and work with virus.
-Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry
-Molecular cloning and mutagenesis techniques

Record Keeping and Data Collection:

-Maintains accurate, detailed records and experimental data and protocols.
-Prepares graphs, slides and tables via photography, computer, or manually.
-Communicates results to and understands instructions from principal investigator and colleagues. Fluent spoken English is essential.
-Discusses goals of each project with supervisor. Develops a step-by-step written procedure outlining the specific actions required to conduct the experiment before proceeding.
-Reads literature and confers with supervisor regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the project.

Laboratory Safety/Lab Equipment Maintenance:

-Demonstrates and practices lab safety precautions.
-Receives verbal and/or written instructions from principal investigator on standards and specialized lab safety procedures.
-Attends annual safety courses required by MDA and other agencies. Handles, stores, and disposes of radioactive isotopes, chemically hazardous materials, and biohazardous materials in procedure specified to meet MDA safety guidelines.
-Follows manufacturer's guidelines regarding the handling and maintenance of all lab equipment. Will have working knowledge of equipment operation manuals and procedure manuals whenever necessary.
-Monitor work flow as it pertains to the need for supplies, equipment maintenance, and preparing stock solutions.
-Develop, record, and maintain a central repository of plasmids, bacteria, and adenovirus, using stocks developed by each lab member.

Work with Animals or Animal/Human Products:

-Will carry out experiments involving animals and animal or human tissues, in accord with appropriate institutional and regulatory guidelines.
-Will inject tumor cells into mice, monitor tumor growth with calipers, and administer drug to animals by ip injection or oral gavage.
-Will have knowledge of safety concerns when working with animal/human tissues.
-Work on animal tissues will require application of universal safety precautions at all times.

To supervise technical personnel and trainees and work closely with other staff members

-Maintain good working relationship with all members of the laboratory.
-Assist other lab members with ongoing experiments that have a priority designated by the principal investigator.
-Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate (verbally and in writing) instructions, ideas, and procedures.

Other duties as assigned

Education Required: Bachelor'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

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