Institute Associate Scientist III, In-Vivo

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. 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.

MD Anderson Therapeutics Discovery Division
Within The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lies the Therapeutics Discovery Division (TDD), a powerful engine driving the future of new targeted, immune- and cell-based therapies. Therapeutics Discovery eliminates the bottlenecks that hamper traditional drug discovery by employing a multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers, doctors, drug developers, and scientific experts working together to develop small-molecule drugs, biologics, and cellular therapies. Our unique structure and collaborative approach allow the team to work with agility, bringing novel medicines from concept to clinic quickly and efficiently - all under the same roof.

ORBIT Platform
ORBIT (Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation) is a novel organization within the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, with the mission of making MDACC a recognized leader in the discovery and development of innovative biologics that help patients to prevail over cancer disease. ORBIT is a centralized MDACC organization that will guide, inform, accelerate and execute the translation of novel discoveries into clinically relevant cancer bio-therapeutics. We are committed to biologics development with industry standard and aim line of sight for combining scientific excellence with commercialization.

We are seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Institute Associate Scientist III as a member of the vivo pharmacology/biology group. The successful candidate will be highly motivated and will join the in vivo group efforts in the characterization and development of biologics and cell therapy including those that function as immune modulators and CAR-T/NK/iNKT for the treatment of cancer. S/he will contribute to the pharmacology and toxicology (in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo) studies across a highly matrixed environment to perform technical and scientific in vivo experiments for advancing drug discovery programs from preclinical studies through IND filing and clinical development.

KEY FUNCTIONS
• Under limited supervision, perform in vivo studies for target validation, drug efficacy, PK/PD/efficacy relationship, and non-GLP tox in the area of oncology and tumor immunology.
PD Institute Associate Scientist III, In vivo pharmacology
• Perform and learn in vitro/ex vivo assays under supervision and contribute to the ex vivo analysis of
tumor or immune cells by FACS, IHC, ELISA, western blot; PCR to identify and validate biomarkers and
elucidate MOA in vivo.
• Independently or under minimal supervision plan, execute, analyze, and document experiments,
manage multiple in vitro/in vivo/ex vivo experiments simultaneously.
• Daily mice work - performs survival and non-survival animal procedures for specimen collection and
characterization and utilizes non-invasive imaging. Maintain records/inventory of mice for in vivo
projects.
• Receives direction on the planning, organizing, and coordinating of scientific research projects,
especially those involving in vivo studies. Receives consultation on appropriate analytical techniques
for laboratory research analysis when appropriate.
• Participates in accurately recording data in laboratory notebooks or databases as appropriate to each
research project.
• Participates in departmental laboratory discussions, meetings and seminars.
• Compiles, writes, and submits reports to superior when requested.
• Adheres to required IACUC and EHS guidelines for animal and laboratory safety and protocols and
maintains all required certifications with respect to proper laboratory techniques, the use of laboratory
equipment, and safety procedures.
• Performs technical laboratory duties as required to conduct research projects.
• Operates laboratory apparatus and equipment as needed to conduct research projects.
• Work in a team environment and, as needed, train new personnel hands-on
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Enzymology, Pharmacology, Chemistry or related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Enzymology, Pharmacology, Chemistry or related field.

Experience

Required:Three years of relevant research experience in lab. With preferred degree, one year of required experience.

Preferred: Hands-on experience performing in vivo studies, preferably with biologics and cell therapy using multiple dose routes (IV, PO, SC, IP), tissue sample collection, and evaluating PD endpoints.
Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
Previous experience in cancer biology.

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