SUMMARYThe primary purpose of the Research Assistant II position is to perform complex experiments requiring advanced laboratory techniques while providing technical support through designing and implementing a variety of laboratory protocols and experiments for several faculty members in the Department of Cancer Systems Imaging.MISSION STATEMENTThe 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.JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIESLaboratory Organization Assist with general lab functions such as organizes and restocks common supplies, receives and distributes orders, orders lab supplies and tracks orders, disposes biohazard boxes and cleans tissue culture media waste flasks, prepares autoclave items and maintains glassware. Ensure inventory of gas cylinders such as O2 and CO2 for the imaging suite. Perform routine maintenance of ultra low freezers, liquid nitrogen, C02 and water levels. Should be able to maintain equipment such as high-speed centrifuges, pH meters and microfuges. Manually operate and maintain the lab equipment. Must be able to comply with all institutional safety policies including Universal Precautions and OSHA standards when handling toxic, hazardous, flammable, radioactive or potentially infectious or carcinogenic materials. Candidate may be required to wear common protective garments or equipment such as gloves, eye protection, face mask, gown or lab coat, etc. Cleans laboratory benches as required. Share in general maintenance of laboratory including monitoring radioisotopes, aliquot reagents and preparation of common solutionsTechnical Assistance Apply basic background in science to the application of laboratory techniques, using judgment, analysis and evaluation. Read literature and confer with superiors regarding new procedures. Master essential skills and techniques used in the laboratory. Develop new and novel procedures for carrying out assigned research by reading literature and conferring with peers and superiors; implement these new procedures. Recordkeeping and data collection required on all experimental protocols performed.Research Support Perform technical laboratory duties to supply information as part of a research project or laboratory. Perform duties in accordance with general and/or specific plans. Assemble and operate laboratory apparatus and equipment. Record and evaluate data obtained, in accordance with methods requested. Execute analytical benchtop work involving DNA/RNA extraction, cloning, PCR, protein analysis, tumor cell line culture, lentiviral production, stable cell transduction, and radioisotope cell uptake assays, animal experimentation (cell injection, surgery, tissue harvest, and bioluminescence, MRI and positron emission tomography imaging).Tissue Culture: Must have excellent tissue culture technique and be able to maintain and store cell lines under sterile and healthy conditions. Candidate should follow ATCC guideline for cell culture and cryogenic storage. Will be responsible for maintaining cell culture supplies. Candidate must have the ability to observe and identify cell changes under the microscope, determine cell counts and cell viability. Utilize aseptic techniques and biosafety measures in experimental work. Perform various cell assays including mycoplasma testing, viability, proliferation, and differentiation assays.Animals: The candidate should possess the skills to perform oral gavages, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections, subcutaneous injections, tail vein catheterizations, and necropsy procedures. They should also demonstrate the ability to undergo training and certification to handle and work with live animals, primarily rats, in accordance with institutional guidelines ensuring safety and humane treatment. Responsibilities would include animal maintenance, monitoring animal health and welfare, euthanizing animals when necessary, and collecting tissue samples once endpoint criteria are met. Additionally, the candidate would assist fellow laboratory personnel with animal experiments such as imaging and surgeries, store and analyze animal tissue, and maintain records of ongoing data for future experiments. Experience in basic animal surgeries is required.Basic Techniques: Molecular biology and cancer biology. Candidate will extract metabolites from tissue and cell culture and generate experimental samples for analysisThey will perform small tissue grossing, processing, embedding, microtomy, immunohistological staining, and cover-slipping. Additionally, they will optimize standard SOPs for staining, clearing, and imaging of various tissue types and/or immunological markers. The candidate will utilize cutting-edge fluorescent, confocal, and light sheet microscopy methods to image slides and whole tissues. Communication of results to the principal investigator and participation in group presentations of these data, as well as promotion of ongoing projects in the laboratory, will be expected. They will also assist with compiling data for presentation or publication. Experience in flow cytometry and immunoblotting (Western) is considered a positive attribute. Perform other laboratory duties as requested.Other Duties as AssignedRequired education: Bachelor's degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.Required experience: One year experience in scientific or experimental research work. No experience required with preferred Master's degree.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.htmlAdditional Information
Requisition ID: 166224
Employment Status: Full-Time
Employee Status: Regular
Work Week: 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: No
Referral Bonus Available?: No
Relocation Assistance Available?: No
Science Jobs: No
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