Job Description

The primary purpose of the Sr Research Assistant is to provide sophisticated technical laboratory work in medical and research related projects. The Sr Research Assistant will perform various scientific experiments under the supervision of the Principal Investigator. The position will also be responsible for assisting in general laboratory operations.

Analysis and Interpretation of Experimental Data:

* Exercises considerable imagination, initiative, and inventiveness in planning and executing the details of experiments, and in evaluating and interpreting the results.
* Provides thorough reports of experiments performed both in writing, in a laboratory notebook, and verbally at weekly group meetings. These reports will include interpretation of the results, rationale for troubleshooting established experimental methods, and plans for improvements in experimental design

Basic and Specific Experimental Data Acquisition & Lab Management:

* Demonstrates and practices lab safety precautions. Receives verbal and/or written instructions from Principal Investigator on standards and specialized lab safety procedures. Attends all required safety courses. Handles, stores, and disposes of radioactive isotopes, chemically hazardous materials, and biohazardous materials in procedure specified to meet MDA safety guidelines. Follows manufacturer's guidelines regarding the handling and maintenance of all lab equipment. Will have working knowledge of equipment and all operations and procedures manuals.
Requires significant prior experience in working with mouse models, including genotyping of transgenic mouse lines, and maintenance of the mouse colony.
Requires proficiency in most current laboratory procedures including: cell/tissue culture methods, molecular cloning, vector construction, transfection, immunochemistry, protein purification, western blotting, gene mapping, promoter analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, transcription assays, RNA, PCR, RT-PCR, drug treatment, and others.
* Responsible for providing technical instruction to other investigators in the laboratory in a professional and collegial manner.

Record Keeping, Data Collection, Laboratory Safety:

* Maintains accurate, detailed records and experimental data, and protocols. Prepares graphs, slides, and tables via photography, computer, or manually. Communicates results to and understands instructions from the principal investigator and colleagues. Fluent spoken and written English is essential. Discusses goals of each project with supervisor. Develops a step-by-step written procedure outlining the specific actions required to conduct the experiment before proceeding. Reads literature and confers with supervisor regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the project. Demonstrates and practices lab safety precautions. Receives verbal and/or written instructions from principal investigator on standards and specialized lab safety procedures. Attends all required safety courses. Handles, stores, and disposes of radioactive isotopes, chemically hazardous materials, and biohazardous materials in procedure specified to meet MDA safety guidelines. Order and maintain the inventory of laboratory supplies and consumables. Follows manufacturer's guidelines regarding the handling and maintenance of all lab equipment. Will have working knowledge of equipment and all operations and procedures manuals.

Other duties as assigned

Service Orientation:

Provide service to our stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, colleagues and each other, in a safe, courteous, accountable, efficient and innovative manner to include:
* Promoting inclusiveness and collegiality that demonstrates respect and professionalism to our stakeholders at all times
* Modeling safe, ethical behavior that mitigates risk to the institution through sound business practices, and adherence to MD Anderson's Standards of Conduct, institutional policies and procedures
* Responding to requests in a timely manner while proactively communicating expectations for procedures, service arrival, or project deliverables to stakeholders
* Using the steps to HEAL (Hear, Empathize, Address and Learn) the relationship when service recovery is needed .

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.

Preferred: Mouse colony managment.

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: 137916
* 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) 39,200
* Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 49,000
* Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 58,800
* Science Jobs: Yes