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Senior Research Assistant

Employer
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Location
Houston, Texas
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Feb 12, 2021

View more

Discipline
Life Sciences, Cancer Research
Organization Type
Healthcare/Hospital

Job Details

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2018 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The primary purpose of the Senior Research Assistant position is to perform laboratory research projects on small animal models. The research projects involve investigations in the role of radiation and DNA repair defects on immune response activation and radiosensitization. Particularly, the Senior Research Assistant will contribute to the discovery and translation of biological pathways to:

1) predict tumor response to radiation using DNA repair defects; and

2) activate the immune system using radiation in combination with DNA repair defects.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Perform in vivo and in vitro laboratory experiments:

a. Requires working at the vivarium, where standard protective clothing and safe procedures must be followed.

b. Perform animal handling including, but not limited to, inoculation of cancer cells, tumor growth measurements, surgical procedures, specimens collection, animal irradiations.

c. Requires working at the laboratory bench, where standard protective clothing and safe procedures must be followed.

d. Perform laboratory duties including, but not limited to, cell culture, clonogenic cell survival assays, western blotting, immunostaining, drug treatments.

e. Able to prepare laboratory solutions.

f. Participate in shared lab tasks, including monitoring areas for cleaning.

g. Must keep an organized laboratory notebook and records.

h. Must be able to perform basic analysis of experiments, including generation of figures.

Record keeping and data collection:

a. Maintains accurate, detailed records and experimental data and protocols.

b. Prepares graphs, slides and tables via photography, computer, or manually.

c. Able to work with database, graphing and word processing computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Word, GraphPad.

d. Able to work with image processing computer programs such as ImageJ.

e. Communicates results to and understands instructions from principal investigators and colleagues. Fluent spoken and written English is essential.

f. Discusses goals of each project with supervisors. With help of supervisors, develops a step-by-step written procedure outlining the specific actions required to conduct the experiment before proceeding.

g. Participates in lab meetings and presents data when necessary.

h. Collects and organizes information for project reports.

Laboratory safety/lab equipment maintenance:

a. Demonstrates and practices lab safety precautions.

b. Receives verbal and/or written instructions from principal investigators on standards and specialized lab safety procedures.

c. Attends annual safety courses required by MDA and other agencies. Handles, stores, and disposes of chemically hazardous materials, and biohazardous materials in procedure specified to meet MDA safety guidelines.

d. 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.

Perform basic molecular analyses and other lab duties assigned by the supervisors.

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.

Preferred: Previous experience working with mice.

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

Company

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2023 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

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