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Research Investigator - Immunology
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.
KEY FUNCTIONS
Tissue Culture
- Maintains and establishes tissue culture cell lines, which requires good sterile technique and ability to determine cell counts and cell viability using microscope and hemocytometer.
- Monitors, orders, and shelves tissue culture supplies.
- Establishes short-term cell cultures using human or mouse tissues.
- Performs basic level experiments in microbiology, immunological research and in vitro measurements of cell growth and proliferation.
Laboratory Work
- Tissue processing
- Dissection of tissues from animals, use a variety of mechanical and enzymatic approaches to isolate single cell suspensions for downstream assays
- Optimization of tissue dissociation conditions to optimize cell yield and viability and minimize perturbation to cell state
Flow Cytometric analysis
- Staining of cells with antibodies and other reagents for multiparametric flow cytometry including validation and titration of reagents and compensation
- Collection of data and sorting of cells on a variety of flow cytometers
- Analysis of data
- Preparation of single cell suspension for single cell RNA Sequencing experiments using a variety of commercial workflows
- Modification/optimization of workflows for custom in-house assays
- Preparation of sequencing libraries
Immunofluorescence Imaging
- Prepare dissected tissues for preservation and banking
- Generate tissue sections, and stain them with antibodies or nucleotide probes which includes validation of staining reagents and protocols
- Acquire images using a variety of imaging platforms
- Perform basic QC and quantification of images
Tissue Culture and Microbiology
- Maintains and establishes tissue culture cell lines, which requires good sterile technique and ability to determine cell counts and cell viability using microscope and hemocytometer.
- Performs basic level experiments in microbiology, immunological research and in vitro measurements of cell growth and proliferation.
Mouse Work
- Work with the PI to submit IACUC protocols.
- Maintaining mouse colonies, and breeding pairs for specific strains.
- Setting up breeding cages, transferring cages between rooms, ear tagging and tail snipping, and updating lab, breeding and genotyping records.
- Implanting orthotopic and subcutaneous tumors in mouse models.
- Perform oral gavage and tail vein injection approaches.
- Ability to works in a BSL2 environment.
- Monitoring mouse health and tumor growth during treatment trials.
- In vivo assays of tumor growth and treatments.
- Requires the ability to calculate molarity and accurately prepare media solutions and reagents.
- Uses acids and polyacrylamide solutions, flammable materials and other biohazards according to OSHA and institutional safety policies.
- With proper guidance, discusses goals of projects and strategy for attaining the goals with supervisor in clear and concise manner.
- Ensures safe and efficient functioning of the lab and pleasant work environment for self and others.
- Requires willingness to learn techniques for handling chemicals, bacteria, and use of different instruments and data analysis software programs in the laboratory.
- Some mouse experiments may require work on weekends/holidays and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure experiments are not interrupted.
Laboratory Organization
- Upkeep of laboratory consumable stocks to ensure consistent availability of reagents and consumables for experiments in the lab.
- Input of lab orders in timely fashion.
- Receiving packages and ensuring materials are stored properly and in an organized fashion with inventory tracking.
- Maintenance of equipment: arranging for equipment servicing to ensure proper and uninterrupted function of the lab.
- Adhere to lab and institutional policies surrounding biosafety and ethical use of animals.
- Read and follow the appropriate IBC and ACUF protocols related to the project.
Education
Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field.
Experience
Required: Five years of experience in scientific or experimental research work. With preferred degree, three years of required experience.
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
