Job Description

Research Scientist

While encompassing the overall mission of MD Anderson Cancer Center, the particular goals of the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology are to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and to advance the treatment and prevention of aerodigestive cancers through innovative clinical and laboratory research.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Specific laboratory skills and knowledge competencies
- In vitro tumor and immune cell assays. In particular, T cell functional assays including stimulations, killing, and proliferation assays.
- In vivo tumor models in immune competent and/or deficient mice. In particular, assessment of tumor growth and immune cell infiltration following immune modulating therapies, such as adoptive T cell or immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
- Flow cytometry of cells, digested animal and human tissue, and PBMC (Spectral flow cytometry experience is not required but a benefit)
- Transduction of genes (in particular TCRs) into animal and human cells, and evaluation of transduction efficacy
- Bulk and single cell RNA/DNA/TCR sequencing experience preferred
- Basic laboratory skills including, but not limited to, qPCR, ELISA, western blotting
Execute and participate in scientific research projects
- Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, develop and design projects and all experiments related to the projects.
- Independently and/or together with other lab members or internal/external collaborators perform all aspects of the experiments
- Supervise and support other laboratory personnel as they execute experiments
- Maintain an up-to-date, organized, and legible laboratory journal that records all experiments in detail and ensure that subordinates do the same.
- Designs, organizes and performs animal work and protocols
- Participate in adopting new techniques and learning new skills to enhance research
- Maintain assertiveness and flexibility in approaching new techniques and responsibilities, utilizing good work habits and time management.
- Monitor and anticipate laboratory needs in terms of equipment and supplies.
- Prepare oral and written reports about the progress of various projects.
- Review the scientific literature regularly to plan the research projects
- Compile, write, and submit project results to Principal Investigator.
- Prepare, write, and edit scientific documents (manuscripts, posters, abstracts, etc) for publication or for funding purposes.
- Present findings of research projects to professional groups.
- Store data on approved, MD Anderson network drives.
Work closely with other staff members

- Maintain good working relationship with other researchers and technicians
- Train and supervise investigators and other laboratory personnel in proper laboratory techniques, the use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures
- Explain to staff members the scientific protocols currently being employed in the laboratory

Laboratory management and safety procedures

- Supervises laboratory personnel safety procedures according to MDACC and Environmental Health and Safety procedures.
- Plan and supervise the training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory techniques, the use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures.
- Maintain alertness and careful attention to avoid injury to self and others in the laboratory.
Other duties as assigned

Education Required: PhD in one of the natural sciences or related field or Medical degree

Experience Required: With PhD, no experience required. With Medical degree, two years of experience in experimental or scientific work.

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: 136311
* Employment Status: Full-Time
* Employee Status: Regular
* FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
* Work Week: Days
* Fund Type: Soft
* Pivotal Position: Yes
* Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 53,200
* Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 66,500
* Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 79,800
* Science Jobs: Yes