(While navigating through the site, please be sure to disable your pop-up blocker.)
Research Assistant II
The Immunology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center seeks to determine the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of a wide range of processes by which the body recognizes and eliminates pathogens and use these findings to unleash the patient’s own immune system against previously treatment-resistant cancers. Treating the immune system rather than the cancer itself, the therapeutics developed are applicable to many cancers.
The primary purpose of the Research Assistant II position is to provide technical computational skills for the analysis and integration of high-dimensional multi-omics datasets, including single-cell and epigenomic data, to uncover mechanisms of immune regulation in cancer.
The ideal candidate for the Research Assistant II will have experience analyzing and integrating scRNA‑seq, scATAC‑seq, ChIP‑seq, CUT&Tag/CUT&RUN, and bulk RNA‑seq data, with demonstrated proficiency in R, Python, and bash.
Minimum $21.63 – Midpoint $27.16 – Maximum $32.69 per hour, based on a 40-hour work week
Work Schedule: Onsite
Work Location: Texas Medical Center
Why Us?
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful immunology research at UT MD Anderson while developing technical and scientific skills in a collaborative, research-intensive environment. The Research Assistant II supports meaningful discoveries that advance cancer immunology while benefiting from an organization committed to professional growth, stability, and work-life balance.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Computational & Multi-Omics Analysis
• Analyze and integrate scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, CUT&Tag/CUT&RUN, and bulk RNA-seq datasets
• Perform cell type identification, clustering, differential expression, and trajectory analysis
• Conduct epigenomic analyses to identify regulatory elements, chromatin states, and transcription factor activity
• Integrate chromatin and transcriptomic data to link regulatory elements to gene expression
• Analyze 3D genome and interaction datasets, including Hi-C and HiChIP
• Develop and maintain scalable, reproducible pipelines using R, Python, and bash
• Analyze patient-derived datasets, including TCGA and immunotherapy cohorts, for survival analysis, biomarker discovery, and stratification
Data Management
• Maintain organized and reproducible data structures
• Document workflows and analyses clearly
• Ensure compliance with institutional data standards
Collaboration & Scientific Contribution
• Work closely with experimental scientists to design experiments and interpret results
• Translate biological questions into computational strategies
• Generate publication-quality figures and visualizations
• Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications
Other
• Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Basic Science
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Basic Science and a Medical Degree
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Required: One year of scientific or experimental research work experience or no experience required with a preferred degree
• Preferred: Experience analyzing and integrating scRNA‑seq, scATAC‑seq, ChIP‑seq, CUT&Tag/CUT&RUN, and bulk RNA‑seq data, with proficiency in R, Python, and bash is a plus.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
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
