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Research Asst I

Employer
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Location
Houston, Texas
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Oct 27, 2021

View more

Discipline
Health Sciences
Organization Type
Healthcare/Hospital

Job Details

SUMMARY

The Research Assistant I is responsible for performing laboratory and preclinical research projects in the PI's laboratory working collaboratively with other team members. The primary purpose of the Research Assistant I position is to carry out various research and development projects and performing experiments by following standard operating procedures (SOP).

CORE VALUES

Caring Behaviors
  • Courtesy: Is respectful and courteous to each other at all times.
  • Friendliness/Teamwork: Promotes and rewards teamwork and inclusiveness; is sensitive to the concerns of our patients and our co-workers.

Integrity Behaviors
  • Reliability: Communicates frequently, honestly and openly.
  • Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for practicing our values.
  • Safety: Models safe behavior (wears badge and personal protective equipment, washes hands, and keeps work area clean and orderly); Notices a safety concern or emergency, understands role and uses proper procedures to report it; Mitigates risk to the institution through sound business practices; Demonstrates ethical and personal responsibility in work and behavior

Discovery Behaviors
  • Responsiveness: By his/her actions, creates an environment of trust; Encourages learning, creativity and new ideas.
  • Personal Leadership/Self-Initiative: Helps others to identify and solve problems; Seeks personal growth and enables others to do so.


JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

SUMMARY

Conducts research experiments and projects in scientific fields independently and/or with minimal oversight of faculty and/or research staff.

Records and evaluates data in accordance with methods requested. Literature search for research projects.

KEY FUNCTIONS

1.Tissue Culture: Required to have excellent tissue culture technique and be able to maintain and store cell lines under sterile and healthy condition. Candidate should follow ATCC guideline for cell culture and cryogenic storage.

2. Laboratory Animals: Required to know how to perform oral gavages, ip injection, and measure tumor size. Candidate should successfully complete training and certification by the Department of Veterinary Medicine to handle and work with live animals, primarily mice, in a safe and humane manner, following institutional guidelines for disposal of dead animals, biohazard and used needles. Responsible for ordering laboratory animals and maintaining up-to-date animal inventory.

3. Basic Techniques in Molecular Biology/ Cancer Biology: Extract DNA, RNA, or protein samples from cells or tissues. Perform cell proliferation (cytotoxicity) assay, soft agar assay, 3D- assay, migration, invasion, mammosphere assay, immunohistochemistry staining, immunofluorescence staining, FACS analysis, western blot.
  1. Record Keeping and Maintenance of Laboratory:
    • Responsible for ordering laboratory supplies, maintaining inventory of antibodies, cell lines, plasmids, and preparing common reagents such as buffers and plasmids.
    • Participate and help other lab members to promote ongoing projects in the laboratory.
    • Keep accurate records of experimental design and results, perform accurate data analysis of experimental results and communicate these records to Pl and other members of the laboratory.
    • Compile analyzed research data and submit results to Pl for inclusion in publications, grants or protocols.
    • Have knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software, graphic and statistical programs to create charts, posters and reports of the results.
    • Present findings of research projects to laboratory members during laboratory meetings. Train visiting scientists and other research staff and students in research procedures and the use of laboratory equipment.
    • Diligence and willingness to learn and to help others in the implementation of new techniques.
  • Performs routine maintenance of ultra-low freezers, liquid nitrogen, C02 and water levels.

Must be able to comply with all institutional safety policies including Universal Precautions and OSHA standards when handling toxic, hazardous, flammable, radioactive or potentially infectious or carcinogenic materials. This may require wearing common protective garments or equipment such as gloves, eye protection, face mask, gown or lab coat, etc. Additionally, some procedures may require the use of a fume hood or biological safety cabinet.

COMPETENCIES

Analytical Thinking - Gather relevant information systematically; break down problems into simple components; make sound decisions.

Innovative Thinking - Approach problems with curiosity and open-mindedness; offer new ideas, solutions and/or options.

Technical/Functional Expertise - Demonstrate technical proficiency required to do the job; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession; provide technical expertise to others.

Service Orientation

Provide service to our stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, colleagues and each other, in a safe, courteous, accountable, efficient and innovative manner to include:

  • Promoting inclusiveness and collegiality that demonstrates respect and professionalism to our stakeholders at all times
  • Modeling safe, ethical behavior that mitigates risk to the institution through sound business practices, and adherence to MD Anderson's Standards of Conduct, institutional policies and procedures
  • Responding to requests in a timely manner while proactively communicating expectations for procedures, service arrival, or project deliverables to stakeholders
  • Using the steps to HEAL (Hear, Empathize, Address and Learn) the relationship when service recovery is needed


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

Required Experience: No 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

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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