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 data analysis skills and knowledge competencies
- Cancer biology background
- Participate in the design and implementation of algorithms to analyze molecular data and integrate with other data sets
- Systematically explore and mine multi-dimensional data to validate experimental findings or formulate new hypotheses
- Assist in the generation of tools for manipulating and preparing data for display
- Develop innovative mathematical/computational approaches to molecular data analysis
- Help maintain, support, and document shared tools, code base, and data sets, with opportunities to explore deeper and more complex software design problems, or bioinformatic and analytic aspects of predictive modeling.

Execute and participate in scientific research projects
Related projects and responsibilities will include:
- Single cell analysis of tumor samples
- Studies of resistance to existing and emerging cancer therapies using patient-derived data
- Studies of tumor and tumor microenvironment evolution and heterogeneity using longitudinal patient samples
- Studies of cancer immunotherapies to develop predictors of response

The goals of this work consist in analyzing sequencing data to determine the effects of genomic alterations and expression changes on clinical behavior, both retrospectively and prospectively. These new data could help identify novel approaches for personalized care in oncology or provide support for new methods in clinical decision-making, biomarkers for rational drug development, and new insights into tumor biology through innovative analyses.

Work closely with other staff members

- Maintain good working relationship with other researchers and technicians
- Train and supervise other personnel in data analysis pipelines, bioinformatic techniques, and maintain internal databases

Other duties as assigned

Education Required: PhD in one of the natural sciences or related field or Medical degree With PhD, no experience required. With Medical degree, two years of experience in experimental or scientific work.

Education Preferred: PhD in bioinformatics, mathematical, physical, or computer science, or comparable research experience, together with significant experience in computer programming and computational biological applications.

Experience Preferred: Working experience in mining genomic and clinical data. Applicants with experience in pattern recognition/machine learning, mathematical/statistical modeling, network analysis and experience in data integration, data mining, and NGS data analysis (mutations, structural variations, and expression) preferred. Proficiency in at least one programming language such as R or Python.

Experience managing and curating large datasets and with machine learning techniques desired. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to perform both self-directed and guided research are required. Must demonstrate outstanding personal initiative and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. Ability to meet deadlines and efficiently multitask is a must.

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: 136791
* 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