Research Assistant II - Mice Handling - MD Anderson

MISSION STATEMENT
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.

SUMMARY
The employee coordinates and conducts experiments and carries out research projects in basic science areas. Constructs, assembles and operates laboratory apparatus and equipment. Reads literature and confers with superiors regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the project. Records and evaluates data obtained in accordance with methods requested.

KEY FUNCTIONS

• General Lab Maintenance
  • Assume responsibility for general laboratory maintenance.
  • Maintain procedures and protocols that ensure the quality and integrity of procedures performed.
  • Maintains and orders laboratory project supplies/equipment and prepares stock solutions.
  • Maintain an excellent working knowledge of all basic laboratory equipment and apparatus.
  • Assists and guides new laboratory personnel of laboratory data management operating procedures.
  • Maintains quality and timeliness of project budgetary guidelines.
  • Coordinates project budget needs with Principle Investigator and/or Lab Manager.
  • Tracks project supply expenditures and provides summary to the Principle Investigator and/or Lab Manager.
  • Assists Principle Investigator and/or Lab Manager with regulatory laboratory inspection and audits to ensure all safety policies and procedures are up to date and completed as required.
• Laboratory Work
  • Assists Principle Investigator (s) in design of laboratory experiments, techniques, and protocols.
  • Assist PI in doing complicated molecular assays such as single cell sequencing.
  • Conduct tissue-based experiments including immunohistochemistry analysis, microscopy analysis, IHC.
  • Conducts and troubleshoots basic cell culture experiments such as maintenance and passaging of adherent cells, cryopreservation and thawing frozen cells, transfection, cell proliferation assays, clonogenic assay, soft agar assay, invasion assay.
  • Conduct flow cytometry analysis.
  • Perform RNA extraction and sample preparation for NGS (genomic analysis).
  • Communicate results or any potential problems to the primary investigator.
  • Achieves mastery of complex sills and techniques used in the laboratory.
• Animal Work
  • Maintains colonies of animals and sets up breeding strategies as needed for experiments.
  • Performs animal studies including injections (intraperitoneal, intravenous), oral gavage, small surgery, collection of tissues on necropsy.
  • Performs complex survival surgeries along with PI/research fellows and follows experiments.
  • Orders analgesics from pharmacy and maintain log sheet to comply with controlled substance use policies.
• Data Abstraction
  • Processes, organizes, and summarizes data using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet, or statistical software applications
  • Interprets and discusses experimental data with principal investigator
  • Abstracts data from the electronic medical records and enters them in a database
  • Maintains data security and integrity of procured data
  • Prepare materials for submission to granting agencies
• Collaboration
  • Train and assist fellows and trainees in the laboratory with various procedures.
  • Reads scientific literature to keep current with new research techniques and learn/develop new techniques by communicating with other researchers and biotechnology companies.
  • Other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires:

Working in Office Environment: Yes

Working in Patient Care Unit (e.g. Nursing unit; outpatient clinic): No

Exposure to human/animal blood, body fluids, or tissues: Yes

Exposure to harmful chemicals: Yes

Exposure to radiation: Yes

Exposure to animals: Yes

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Indicate the time required to do each of the following physical demands:

• Standing: Frequently 34-66%
• Walking: Occasionally 1-33%
• Sitting: Continuously 67-100%
• Reaching: Occasionally 1-33%
• Lifting/Carrying
  • Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally 1-33%
  • 10lbs to 50 lbs: Occasionally 1-33%
  • More than 50 lbs: Never 0%
• Pushing/Pulling
  • Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally 1-33%
  • 10lbs to 50 lbs: Occasionally 1-33%
  • More than 50 lbs: Never 0%
• Use computer/keyboard: Continuously 67-100%

EDUCATION:

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

Preferred: Masters' degree with major course work in one of the basic sciences.

EXPERIENCE

Required: Two years of experience in scientific or experimental research work. No experience required with preferred degree.

Preferred: Mouse work experience,experience in maintaining mouse colonies, cell culture and molecular biology experience, experience working on a team.

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

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 166646
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Day/Evening, Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 43,500
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 54,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 65,500
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Soft
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: No
• Relocation Assistance Available?: No
• Science Jobs: Yes

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