Research Scientist - Radiation Oncology

The mission of The University of Texas MD 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.

The Research Scientist will become a key senior member of a vibrant and collaborative patient-oriented translational research program studying the role of the human microbiome in HPV-related cancers. Our work is focused the role of the tumor microbiome and gut microbiome in immune response to cancer therapy, including bacterial and tumor antigen recognition and response by the immune system during and after chemoradiation therapy. This Research Scientist will be primarily responsible for in vivo and in vitro microbial experiments. This scientist should have significant wet lab experience in microbiology and microbiology laboratory techniques, be self-driven, motivated, and positive, and have interest in a leadership role in training developing junior laboratory members and students/ trainees. Previous cancer biology experience is not required.
The Research Scientist is to plan, organize, coordinate, direct and participate in scientific research projects. The Research Scientist should be able to devise and troubleshoot laboratory protocols and independently evaluate resulting research data and revises techniques or approaches to problems. Plans and supervises the training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory techniques, the use of laboratory equipment and safety procedures.
An outstanding research environment, new laboratory and core facilities are available in the Zayed building and throughout the institution. We have an exceptional laboratory and administrative support team, including a very strong computational/ biostatistical team, and an exceptional dual PI mentoring team with a dedication to career development for all lab members.

KEY FUNCTIONS/JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

• Assist principal investigator with preparation of grants and papers, including drafting documents, scientific analysis, and editing
• Determine specific goals or objectives to be attained, evaluate research data and revise techniques or approaches to work problems
• Supervise the design, development or adapting of equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results
• Plan and supervise the training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory techniques, the use of laboratory equipment and safety procedures.

Education
Required: PhD in one of the natural sciences or related field or Medical degree

Preferred: PhD in microbiology (or closely related field)

Experience
Required: With PhD, no experience required. With Medical degree, two years of experience in experimental or scientific work.

Preferred: Experience with bacterial identification via traditional culture methods, RT-PCR, multiplex molecular sequencing, and/or via mass spectrometry techniques including PCR/ ESI-MS or MALDI-TOF MS.
• Experience with bacterial genome modification and editing techniques such as via CRISPR/ Cas9 plasmid construction
• Development and testing of model microbial systems in animals
• Experience with immune assays including flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry
• Experience with computational analysis of microbial and microbiome 16s and next generation sequencing data, such as use of QIIME amplicon analysis software, R software packages such as phyloseq, etc.

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