KEY FUNCTIONS

Tissue Culture and Immunological Assays

1. Maintain and establish cultures of cells.
2. Prepare sterile media and solutions.
3. Basic flow cytometry staining using antibody panels that have been pre-designed.
4. Maintain and operate laboratory equipment such as PCR thermocycler and flow cytometer.
5. Some protocols require work on weekends/holidays and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure cell lines are maintained.

Mouse Work

1. Work with live mice.
2. Maintain the highest level of respect for mice, and maintain proper mouse handling and techniques to minimize distress to the animals.
3. 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, biohazards and used needles.
4. Assist in maintaining animal inventory by cross checking that the cage numbers present in the animal facility match the cage numbers in our electronic records at least once per month.
5. Assist in setting up breedings and ear tagging and tail snipping.
6. Abide to all IACUC protocols laid out by the P.I. in terms of animal handling, procedures, and monitoring for experimentally-related diseases.
7. Assist others in their experiments by performing live mouse handling, including tumor measurements, injections, monitoring weight/blood glucose
8. Assist in necropsy, mouse dissections, and creation of single cell suspensions from organs to be used for standard immunological assays.
9. Perform routine genotyping on DNA isolated from mice, which can include PCR and/or flow cytometry.

Lab Functions and Other duties

1. Actively participate in experiments and lab activities as part of a team. Teamwork and working cooperatively with others is required.
2. Maintain accurate, written detailed records of experimental data and protocols.
3. Actively participate in lab meetings, including when others are presenting.
4. Demonstrate and practice lab safety precautions. Handle, store, and dispose of chemically hazardous materials and biohazardous materials in procedure specified to meet MDA safety guidelines. Strictly follow all EHS guidelines for maintaining a safe work environment and IBC protocols for handling of relevant materials in the lab.
5. Maintain good working relationship with other lab members. Respond and assist other employees.
6. Communicate any potential problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
7. Restock consumables in the tissue culture room and bench spaces in the lab.
8. Regularly check inventory on consumable reagents and place consumables on the order sheet as inventory is running low.
9. Receive packages in the lab and put new stocks away.
10. May involve occasional exposure to hazardous equipment and materials.
11. Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

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

EXPERIENCE

Required: No experience.

Preferred: Basic laboratory skill experience including pipetting. Mouse handling 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