Research Asst I Genitourinary Medical Oncology - Research

The primary purpose of the Research Assistant I position is to perform basic research functions in the field of prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma, with a focus on how host cardiometabolic health, body composition, genomics, and the androgen receptor interact to impact treatment outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have experience in one or more of the following areas: digital pathology/image analysis (such as Visiopharm or similar platforms), Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and next-generation sequencing applications including RNA-seq or single-cell RNA-seq. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly learn new laboratory techniques. Training will be provided for areas where experience is limited, including animal research techniques.

Why Us?
• 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.

Key Functions

1. Planning and Execution of Experiments: 
The employee will conduct and carry out research experiments and is required to discuss goals of projects with supervisors. Receives detailed verbal and/or written instructions on how to conduct an experiment in order to achieve the goals of the project. Verbally asks questions of supervisor and/or other laboratory personnel to clarify and obtain further information needed to prepare for and properly execute experiments. Clear and concise verbal communication is important. The employee must possess good reading (English) and writing skills; some editing experience in scientific writing is desirable. Receives verbal and/or written instructions on the operation and maintenance of all laboratory equipment. Position will require periodic communications with vendors and other laboratory personnel to obtain technical information by talking on the telephone. Develops a step-by-step written procedure outlining the specific actions required to conduct the experiment before proceeding. The successful candidate will exercise initiative and inventiveness in planning, executing and interpreting data obtained from experiments. Must be able to communicate results to principal investigators (PIs) and collaborators.  Must have a well-developed esprit de corps and willingness to cooperate with all principals. Must have the ability to resolve, in consultation with PIs, various technical problems as they emerge that are related to experimental design and technique. The position will require detailed, legible handwritten records of all experiments performed.

2. Histopathological data analysis:
The employee will perform analysis of histopathological data, including IHC, IF and demultiplex-IF on human and mouse tissues. Candidates with skills in using Visiopharm and QuPath are highly preferred.

3. Animal techniques:
The employee will help with  animal breeding, tagging, weaning, genotyping, tissue harvesting, as well as downstream processing and analysis. The employee will be responsible for animal care, organization of the colonies, xenograft and orthotopic tumor models, manipulation of the mice including tail vein/retro-orbital/intraperitoneal/subcutaneous injections, gavage treatments, tail vein bleeds, euthanasia, necropsy, and any additional animal related work.

4. Specific tasks: 
Must be able to generate and analyze data for presentations and publications. Candidate with sound working knowledge and trouble shooting skills in some of the following techniques is preferred: immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, ELISA assays, western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation, gene knockdown/knockout, transfection/transduction of mammalian /bacterial cells, proliferation/apoptosis study, gene expression library construction, RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis of proteins and nucleic acids, mammalian cell culture, cryopreservation of cells, preparation of DNA, RNA, and protein from cells, blood, tissues, and FFPE slides for next-generation sequencing, microarray, methylation array, and protein array analyses. Animal experiments including testing the efficacy and mechanisms of action of specific anti-cancer agents in vivo according to IACUC-approved animal protocols.

5. Ordering supplies and maintenance of equipment: 
Periodically reviews and place orders for laboratory supplies including community reagents and chemicals. Assist in assembly, operation, and maintenance of laboratory.
 

6. Tissue culture and handling of hazardous biological materials: 
Maintains and establishes tissue culture cell lines which requires good sterile techniques and the ability to observe and identify cell changes under the microscope, determine cell counts on the hemocytometer or coulter counter, perform colony counts and determine cell viability. Prepares sterile medias and solutions. Prepares cells for cryogenic storage and re-establishment by the use of small vials, dry ice and liquid nitrogen. The employee must be good at sterile technique, the manipulation of viable cells and the re-feeding and characterization of cultures. Precaution against blood-borne pathogens must be taken whenever human-derived cells are used in accordance with the institutional Universal Precautions Plan.  Must demonstrate and practice laboratory safety precautions. Must manually handle, store and dispose of radioactive isotopes, chemically hazardous materials, and biohazardous materials in procedures specified to meet MDACC safety guidelines. Accurately records use and disposal of all radioactive materials. The position requires the maintenance and analysis of various viable (human and mouse) cell lines.  Tests may periodically be performed for mycoplasma contamination.  Requires use of single and multichannel pipettors.  Fine finger dexterity will be required to manipulate small tissue culture vials.

7. Guide, teach, supervise, and assist students, collaborators, and laboratory members to accomplish research.

8. The above functions require a strong command of the English language, including spelling, writing, and the ability to clearly and accurately communicate verbally in English both face-to-face and over the phone.

9. Other duties as assigned.