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Institute Associate Scientist III - Drug Discovery Biology

Employer
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Location
Houston, Texas
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Apr 23, 2021

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Discipline
Life Sciences, Cancer Research
Organization Type
Healthcare/Hospital

Job Details

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

MD Anderson Therapeutics Discovery Division
Within The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lies the Therapeutics Discovery Division (TDD), a powerful engine driving the future of new targeted, immune- and cell-based therapies. Therapeutics Discovery eliminates the bottlenecks that hamper traditional drug discovery by employing a multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers, doctors, drug developers, and scientific experts working together to develop small-molecule drugs, biologics, and cellular therapies. Our unique structure and collaborative approach allow the team to work with agility, bringing novel medicines from concept to clinic quickly and efficiently - all under the same roof.

The TRACTION platform

The Translational Research to AdvanCe Therapeutics and Innovation in ONcology (TRACTION) platform is an industrialized translational research group that aligns world-class drug discovery and development with highly innovative the science and clinical care research, for which MD Anderson Cancer Center is known. Through an investment in patient-centric research, we have developed the infrastructure, platforms, and capabilities to enable transformative research. TRACTION's approach combines innovative cancer genetics, disruptive technologies, deep mechanistic biology, disease modeling, and pharmacology to accelerate the translation of novel discoveries into definitive clinical hypotheses. By partnering with the drug discovery engines within Therapeutics Discovery, we aim to advance a portfolio of small molecules, biologics, and cell therapies for our patients. We work in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment with a focus on team science and interdisciplinary research. Our unique approach has created a biotech-like engine within the walls of the nation's leading cancer center to bring life-saving medicines to our patients more quickly and effectively.

Position Summary

We are seeking highly creative, collaborative, and motivated scientists to join our growing team. The Institute Associate Scientist III will participate in cross-functional research to identify and validate novel oncology targets, as well as translate these findings into transformative oncology therapies to benefit patients. The candidate will, under minimal supervision, contribute to the development, validation, implementation, and execution of mechanistic and functional studies to support the advancement of therapies attacking novel targets by defining target biology and developing translational strategies. These efforts will allow us to advance therapeutics currently under development by TDD and our partners.

As a part of the Therapeutics Discovery team, you will have the opportunity to use your talents to make a direct impact on the lives of our patients. This position will require a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment and who can effectively engage with multi-disciplinary drug discovery teams.

We are searching for new team members who are passionate about our mission... are you up for the challenge?

KEY FUNCTIONS
1. Under minimal supervision, execute cell biology experiments as defined by project leaders to enable data-driven decisions on advancing portfolio programs.
2. Use cutting edge tools and technologies, the candidate will explore intrinsic and extrinsic effects of target modulation on the tumor, e.g., impact on the immune system, cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor heterogeneity, and mechanisms of resistance both in vitro and in vivo.
4. Leverage genetic and pharmacological tools to generate data packages around target validation, target biology, and the translational development of novel therapeutics and combinations.
5. Conduct a wide variety of assays, including but not limited to: Western blotting, viral transduction, qPCR, genome editing and cell phenotypic/proliferation assays, ChIP-Seq/RIP-seq, flow cytometry, 3D culture/tissue modeling, immune-phenotyping, and high-content imaging.
6. Employ safe lab practices.
7. Maintain research records and laboratory notes.
8. Participate in integrated drug discovery research project teams.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Enzymology, Pharmacology, Chemistry or related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology or Cell biology.

Experience

Required: Three years of relevant research experience in lab. With preferred degree, one year of required experience.

Preferred: Two plus years experience working in a drug-discovery or biotech environment in the fields of Biology, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology. Experience working in matrixed project teams valued. In addition, experience in ChIP-Seq/RIP-seq, flow cytometry, 3D culture/tissue modeling, immune-phenotyping, and/or high-content imaging is preferred

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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