Research Assistant I -Laboratory-Based Research

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 2019 rankings.

We have an immediate need for a Research Assistant I to work on translational and preclinical research projects on breast cancer.

***Ideal candidates will have laboratory-based research experience in the field of cancer biology/ immunology &/ mice handling experience including drug treatments and breeding***

Our research work focuses on identifying molecular and immune markers that can be targeted for breast cancer prevention using cell lines, mouse models, and patient samples. Although, breast cancer prevention strategies exist for hormone positive breast cancers these drugs severe side effects and do not prevent most lethal triple negative breast cancers. Therefore, novel prevention strategies are needed that have little or no toxicity and are effective against all subtypes of breast cancer. Our main goal is to develop such therapies. Professor Isabelle Bedrosian, M.D, leads this program.

Primary purpose of the Research Assistant is:
to provide responsible technical assistance in carrying out various research projects. This individual will be responsible for performing technical laboratory duties in accordance with general and/or specific projects. Work schedule flexibility is required. This position requires organizational skills, logical thinking, basic mathematical and computer skills, including Excel & powerpoint and attention to detail. Responsible for maintaining laboratory areas in a clean and organized manner. The ability to work in a team setting is also required. The candidate is required to have knowledge of basic chemistry and mathematics to make routine laboratory solutions.

Key Functions

• Conduct experiments in the area of molecular biology, immunology and cellular biology of cancer after discussing the goals of each project and receiving verbal and/or written instruction from the supervisor on how to conduct the experiments prior to proceeding.
• Detailed record keeping of experiments and samples is required to assure reproducibility of data.
• Perform animal studies to investigate the effect of drug targeting on tumor formation, will require handling mice, breeding mice, injecting drugs, maintaining mice, dissections, and performing molecular and histological analyses on the tissues excised from mice.
• Maintain stock breast cancer cell lines by growing, expanding, and freezing cells using sterile technique.
• Isolate DNA, RNA and proteins and quantify using standard molecular methods.
• Discuss results of experiments immediately after completion to insure accuracy and comparability with previous results of similar experiments.

Ordering reagents and lab supplies.

Education Required:
Bachelor's degree, major course work in biological sciences.

Education Preferred:
Biology degree

Experience Required:
No experience.

Experience Preferred:
laboratory-based research experience in the field of cancer biology/ immunology &/ mice handling experience including drug treatments and breeding.

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