Senior Research Assistant - Cancer Biology

Welcome to MD Anderson's Cancer Biology department. Our department has a long history of being a leader in the field of basic and translational cancer biology research. The department emphasizes the training of students, postdoctoral fellows and clinical fellows in the fundamentals of tumor biology to improve the outcomes of patients with malignancies. The department has built a program with close ties to many clinical departments to facilitate information exchange between the laboratory and the clinic. As such, faculty in the department are investigators on NIH funded collaborative cancer biology research grants. In addition, there are several physician-scientists who have joint appointments in Cancer Biology, facilitating the exchange of clinically-relevant information between the laboratory and the clinic.

The primary purpose of the Senior Research Assistant is to coordinate and conduct experiments and carry out research projects in varied areas of chemistry, biology, physics and other biomedical or related basic science areas. Construct, assemble and operate laboratory apparatus and equipment. Read literature and confer with superiors regarding new procedures and modify them according to the needs of the project. Records and evaluates data obtained in accordance with methods requested.

Key Functions

Depending on interest and lab needs, any combination of the following techniques may apply:

• Mammalian tissue culture; flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence microscopy, basic molecular biology techniques (RNA, DNA and protein) including Western blotting and PCR; mouse handling, injection (tail vein, IP), genotyping, histopathology, blood and tissue collection, sacrifice, postmortem analysis, mouse colony management and related tasks.
• Willing to learn and perform basic and advanced molecular and animal techniques.
• Must have measurable experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques, mouse colony management, handling, and animal procedures, be able to accurately pipet, follow protocols and perform accurate calculations as needed for the conduct of the work.
• Must maintain accurate, detailed records and experimental data, protocols, inventory of archived reagents, safety and compliance documentation.
• Communicates and summarizes results for presentations, peer-reviewed publications and internal communications.
• Performs common lab routine maintenance as needed.
• Perform duties of laboratory manager.
• Other duties as required.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field.

Preferred: Master'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