Research Assistant II - Translational Molecular Pathology - Animal Experience

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 Research Assistant II position is to assist in all animal experiments including animal breeding, maintenance of animal colonies, performing tobacco carcinogen and drug treatments in mice, assisting in tissue harvest of mice and assist the laboratory in performing various molecular and immunological analyses of mouse samples including immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, QPCR, and western blotting. The RAII must be able to provide technical and coordination skills in carrying out various research projects, coordinates procedures, and performs technical laboratory duties in accordance with general and/or specific plans, with the main focus on mouse studies including model building, preclinical trials, mouse husbandry, and tissue culture work.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Laboratory Procedures Standard laboratory procedures including but not limited to: bead-based Luminex assay, ELISA, western blotting, PCR/RTPCR, and extraction of DNA, RNA, and protein from tissues and cells.

Tissue Culture Basic tissue culture including work with retroviruses and lentiviruses.

Laboratory and Animal Maintenance Maintains Lab Functions to include ordering of supplies and ensures lab equipment is maintained in good operating order. Maintain animal husbandry and breeding, mouse colonies and maintaining a database of all animals

Collaboration Work as a member of a team and assist coworkers in the execution of their research projects. Must have excellent command of oral and written English skills.

Other duties as assigned

Education
Required: Bachelor's degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.

Experience
Required: Two years experience in scientific or experimental research work. No experience required with preferred degree.

Preferred: Previous experience in animal work (including animal husbandry, mouse colony management, treatment of animals, harvesting tissues from mice, mouse imaging) as well as standard laboratory procedures including immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, PCR, and DNA/RNA extraction

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