Research Assistant I Genomic Medicine

The Wang Laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center is a computational biology laboratory within the department of Genomic Medicine. The lab integrates cutting-edge single-cell and spatial omics, ultra-high-plex molecular imaging, digital pathology, and AI models to decode the cellular language of cancer and tumor ecosystems, translating these insights into improved patient care. The lab’s goal is to identify the intrinsic tumor cell programs and microenvironmental factors that shape the heterogeneity and evolution of tumor-immune ecosystems. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying early tumorigenesis, disease progression, therapy response and resistance, the lab aims to identify clinically actionable biomarkers and targets, accelerating discovery and translational cancer research.

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Assistant I to participate in the design and development of interactive spatial omics web portals and assist with the processing, analysis, and visualization of spatial multi-omics datasets generated from cutting-edge and emerging technologies. The primary responsibilities of this position comprise designing and implementing novel tools and frameworks as needed to address key scientific questions in cancer research.

The ideal candidate has experience in web or scientific software development and is comfortable working with R, Python, JavaScript, and MySQL. They can create clear data visualizations and work well in GitHub-based, collaborative environments. Experience with Linux/Unix, Docker, and high‑performance computing is a strong plus, as is any background in spatial or single‑cell omics. They are motivated, responsible, detail‑oriented, and eager to learn new technologies. Strong communication skills and the ability to work well on a collaborative, interdisciplinary team are essential.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

* Participates in the design and development of interactive spatial omics web portals and visualization tools.
* Assists with the processing, analysis, and visualization of large-scale spatial multi-omics datasets.
* Operates and maintains necessary computational workflows and software environments (e.g., Docker, Linux clusters).
* Records and evaluates data findings; maintains well-documented, reproducible code in lab repositories (GitHub/GitLab).
* Complies with all policies and standards.
* Meet regularly with collaborators to discuss project goals, provide analytical updates, and communicate results.
* Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to troubleshoot and resolve analytical challenges.
* Contribute to manuscript and grant preparation, and present research findings during lab meetings, departmental and institutional seminars, and relevant scientific conferences.
* Adhere to safe laboratory practices and maintain accurate, well-organized records of research data and analyses.
* Organizes data on laboratory servers and assists with the dissemination of methods, pipelines, and code to the scientific community.
* Stays up to date with relevant literature and emerging technologies in spatial omics and web development.
* Perform other duties as assigned, involving attending collaborator and working group meetings; prioritizing and managing multiple projects efficiently; reviewing relevant literature and discussing new analytical approaches with the supervisor.
* Adheres to institutional policies, safe computational practices, and standards for data management.
* Other duties as assigned.

Ideal candidate:

* Experience in web development and/or scientific software development is preferred.
* Proficiency in data wrangling and programming using R (Shiny), Python (Dash), JavaScript, MySQL databases.
* Expertise in data visualization libraries to represent high-dimensional spatial data.
* Familiarity with GitHub for collaborative tool development.
* Experience in high-performance computing (HPC) environment (Unix/Linux) and familiarity with containerization (e.g., Docker) is highly preferred.
* Background in spatial omics or single-cell multi-omics data analysis is a significant plus.
* Highly motivated, reliable, and responsible with a proactive mindset and a strong willingness to learn and implement emerging technologies.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required and the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary team environment.
* Excellent organizational skills, plus meticulous record-keeping and a strong attention to detail.