Senior Research Assistant - Immunology

The Immunology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center seeks to determine the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of a wide range of processes by which the body recognizes and eliminates pathogens and use these findings to unleash the patient's own immune system against previously treatment-resistant cancers. Treating the immune system rather than the cancer itself, the therapeutics developed are applicable to many cancers.

IMMUNOLOGY

Tissue Culture

• Maintains and establishes tissue culture cell lines, which requires good sterile technique and ability to determine cell counts and cell viability using microscope and hemocytometer.
• Monitors, orders, and shelves tissue culture supplies.
• Establishes short-term cell cultures using human or mouse tissues.
• Some protocols require work on weekends/holidays and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure cell lines are maintained.

• Successfully completes 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.
• Exercises considerable imagination, initiative and inventiveness in planning and executing the details of experiments in immunological research and in evaluating and interpreting the results. Experiments include, but are not limited to, in vivo (assays of tumor growth and treatments) and in vitro measurements of immune function (T cell proliferation, cytokine measurement, phenotyping assays etc.) by using techniques like ELISA, flow cytometry, mass cytometry, RT-PCR, multiplexed histology etc.).
• Responsible for major participation in the development and revision of techniques.
• Performs molecular biology techniques, RNA isolation, RT-PCR and functional genomics assays like scRNA-sequencing, CRISPR/RNAi screens; and willingness to learn and teach these and new techniques.
• Setting up breeding cages, transferring cages between rooms, ear tagging and tail snipping, and updating lab, breeding and genotyping records.
• Calculates molarity and accurately prepare media solutions and reagents.
• Uses acids and polyacrylamide solutions, flammable materials and other biohazards according to OSHA and institutional safety policies.
• Collaborates with supervisor in the development of project goals and strategy for attaining results.
• Responsible for lab participation in a safe and efficient functioning lab and work environment.
• Requires willingness to learn techniques for handling chemicals and use of different instruments and data analysis software programs in the laboratory.
• Supervises the work of technicians and assists them as assigned.
• Coordinates with other staff coverage for experiments over weekends/holidays.

• Responsible for maintaining laboratory animals and maintaining up-to-date animal inventory.
• Maintains detailed written reports of experimental data and protocols.
• Assembles and operates laboratory apparatus and equipment.
• Collaborates or assists with supervisor for preparation of reports.
• Supervises lab work area and lab equipment, monitoring it daily to ensure the lab operates safely, is clean, and all equipment is in good working order.
• Participates in revision of techniques and processes for the lab, and follows written instructions/operations manuals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field.

Experience

Required: Three years of experience in scientific or experimental research work. With preferred degree, one year of required 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