Research Assistant I - Leukemia

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a global leader in the treatment of blood cancers. The Leukemia department is one of the most successful disease-specific cancer programs in the world, as well as one of the largest. As the largest medical academic department within the Cancer Medicine division, we have 29 clinical faculty and 20 research faculty. We have approximately 450 employees in the academic department, another 120 outpatient center employees and 150 inpatient employees all of whom support the leukemia research program. Our program sees over 2,000 new patients and 50,000 outpatient encounters each year, while maintaining an inpatient census over 120 patients per day.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Laboratory Equipment and Maintenance    

·       Performs routine maintenance of ultra-low freezers, liquid nitrogen, C02 and water levels.

·       Manually operates microscopes, assess staining quality, order antibodies. Visually reads equipment operation manuals and procedure manual whenever necessary.

·       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. This may require wearing common protective garments or equipment such as gloves, eye protection, face mask, gown or lab coat, etc. Additionally some procedures may require the use of a fume hood or biological safety cabinet.

Tissue Culture 

·       Maintains and establishes tissue culture cell lines which require good sterile techniques and the ability to observe and identify cell changes under the

microscope, determine cell counts on the hemocytometer or coulter counter, performs

colony counts or determine cell viability. Prepares sterile media and solutions.

·       Monitors, and shelves tissue culture supplies to ensure efficient functioning. Prepare

cells for cryogenic storage and reestablishment by the use of small vials, dry ice and

liquid nitrogen.

Molecular Techniques 

·       Isolates, purifies and analyzes, RNA, DNA and protein including hybridization, gel electrophoresis autoradiography, ECL staining, performing PCR reactions, quantitative RT-PCR assay, DNA sequencing and assays for signal transducing enzymes.

·       Purification and conjugation of immunoglobulins. Should have basic knowledge of

solution and buffer preparation in which ionic concentration and pH is critical. Should have basic training in use and safety of radioisotopes.

Laboratory Equipment and Maintenance

·       Performs 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 operates and maintains the lab equipment. Visually reads equipment

operation manuals and procedure manual whenever necessary.

·       Must be able to lift and carry items up to 20-25 pounds and carry or move from one area of the lab to another by using a roller cart.

·       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. This may require wearing common protective garments or equipment such as gloves, eye protection, face mask, gown or lab coat, etc. Additionally, some procedures may require the use of a fume hood or biological safety cabinet

Other duties as assigned.