Institute Associate Scientist III - Analytic Biology

MD ANDERSON THERAPEUTICS DISCOVERY DIVISION
Within The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lies a powerful engine driving the future of new targeted, immune- and cell-based therapies: The Therapeutics Discovery Division. Therapeutics Discovery eliminates the bottlenecks that hamper traditional drug discovery, with 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.
The Therapeutics Discovery Division is built around four platforms: The Institute for Applied Cancer Science (IACS), ORBIT (Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation), TRACTION (Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology) and the Neurodegeneration Consortium.

The TRACTION platform is an industrialized translational research unit that aligns world-class drug discovery and development with highly innovative science and clinical care research. Through an investment in patient-centric research, we have developed the infrastructure, platforms, and capabilities to enable transformative research, partnering with leading clinical research scientists and physicians for which MD Anderson is known. TRACTION's approach combines large scale data science, innovative cancer genetics, disruptive technologies, deep mechanistic biology, disease modeling, and pharmacology to accelerate the translation of novel discoveries.

As part of our mission, TRACTION is focused on partnering with our internal drug discovery engine (IACS, ORBIT, Biologics Development and Cell Therapies) and a growing list of external Partners (Boehringer Ingelheim, Taiho, Blueprint Medicines, Schrödinger and Obsidian) to discover and develop the next generation of small-molecule targeted therapies, antibody therapeutics and cell therapies, all driven by the needs we see in our patients.

We work in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment with a focus on team science and interdisciplinary research. Our unique approach has created a biotech-like engine within the walls of the nation's leading cancer center to bring life-saving medicines to our patients more quickly and effectively. This model already has achieved results, with multiple programs currently in clinical and late-stage preclinical development.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and talented Associate Scientist III to join our Innovation Biology team. The Associate Scientist III will participate in cross-functional research to identify and validate novel biomarkers and patient responder hypotheses, enable disease modeling and translate these findings into testable clinical hypotheses in support of the development of novel oncology therapeutic agents designed to benefit patients.
The Associate Scientist III will join our multi-functional translational team that is focused on positioning our portfolio of advanced oncology small molecule, antibody and cell based therapeutics for clinical success. The ideal candidate will do this by applying the most innovative molecular and cell biology analysis techniques, as well as the most advances analytic imaging softwares to state-of-the-art patient derived preclinical models, leading to the identification of combinations, informative biomarkers that enable patient selection and the biology of response/resistance.

By joining the TRACTION and the Therapeutics Discovery Division, you have the opportunity to use your talents to make a direct impact on the lives of our patients. Join us, and lead our next program from concept to clinic.

KEY FUNCTIONS:
1. Under minimal supervision contribute to project team activities by performing data analyses.
2. Utilize common analytical skills including analysis and visualization of various data types (e.g. sequencing data, expression data, high-plexed image data, RPPA) to support preclinical development of compounds that will be entering clinical development.
3. Perform standard analyses to develop biomarkers and test therapeutics.
4. Utilize state-of-the-art analysis algorithms/tools to define mechanism of biology and discover/validate biomarkers that will be used to stratify patients for clinical testing of therapeutics.
5. Assist in the development, support, and utilization of database organization/integration
6. Evaluate and implement novel technologies to support translational biomarker activities, becoming a technical lead and advisor to other team members.
7. Interact with other computational biologists, program biologists, in vivo pharmacologists, pharmacokinetic scientists, and disease expert pathologists to establish dose-response-efficacy relationships, inform on tumor biology, and develop assays which are essential for future clinical studies that are incorporated into IND filings.
8. Perform analysis of in vivo samples for assessment of pharmacodynamic and response biomarkers.
9. Effectively communicate program progress/issues to colleagues and contribute to project success.
10. Under minimal supervision, design, execute, document and interpret experiments.
11. Analyze, prepare, and present data in project team and other internal meetings as needed.
12. Employ safe lab practices.

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

Preferred: Master's degree in bioengineering, computer science, biology or molecular biology

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

Preferred experience:

1. Experience with problem solving and developing new technologies or applying existing technologies to biological questions.
2. The applicant should have a basic understanding of biological principles, and some experience with sequening/microscopy/imaging/flow-based methods and data analysis with either open source or vendor-specific programs.
3. Experience in programming is preferred (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB, Perl). Experience in fabrication is desired but not required.
4. Coursework in Database Organization and demonstration of APP or GUI development are also a plus.
5. This candidate will spend time validating novel biomarkers and developing techniques, methods, and software, which the team will eventually use everyday.
6. Experience with advanced data analyis is highly desired.
7. Having a working knowledge of oncology disease processes and preclinical models is preferred but not required.
8. The position requires an accomplished, highly self-motivated individual with outstanding communication and organizational skills, and the ability to effectively present results and conclusions to co-workers, collaborators, and managers.
9. Experience independently designing and interpreting experimental results is expected, and demonstrated ability for critical thinking and problem solving is a must.
10. Ability to work well under pressure and drive personal and team objectives that impact critical timelines is expected.
11. A collaborative attitude is essential for this position.

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