The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2022-2023 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The Institute Assistant Scientist II participates in cross-functional research to validate novel targets for neurodegenerative diseases and translate these finding into novel therapeutic agents to benefit patients. An ideal candidate will be able to work in an interdisciplinary team to support our internal drug discovery efforts as well as to participate in developing novel approaches to optimize and increase throughput of drug discovery projects.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Know your business

•Under moderate supervision, contribute to carefully planned project activities through laboratory experiments.

•Serve as the coordinating scientist for mouse breeding and pharmacology. Generates ideas to improve current processes.

•Help establish and validate novel assays for evaluating therapeutic targets.

•Conduct in in vivo experiments including administering test articles, dissections, sectioning, immunohistochemistry, genotyping, creating breeding strategies, and designing experiments

•Collect biological samples from models of disease including genetically engineered mouse colonies.

•Prepare lysates and other samples from in vivo experiments and perform basic analysis

•Working with a team, design and execute pharmacological studies involving animal models of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation.

•Utilize immunohistochemical and biochemical techniques to identify specific expression of relevant proteins following in vivo drug dosing experiments.

Technical/Functional Expertise: Demonstrate technical proficiency required to do the job; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession; provide technical expertise to others. -Apply basic technical/functional knowledge to complete work. Meet essential position requirements.

Know your business of your department/institute

•Contribute to project team. •Employ safe lab practices

•Maintain research records and laboratory notes.

Self-Adaptability: Work in situations involving uncertainty, shifting priorities, and rapid change; deal constructively with mistakes and setbacks; demonstrate flexibility

Change Agent

•Analyze data and prepare written and oral reports to project teams.

•Interact closely with other research staff across institutional functional teams. •Participate in an integrated drug discovery research team by engaging in interaction with scientists of different disciplines.

Analytical Thinking: Gather relevant information systematically; break down problems into simple components; make sound decisions.

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Enzymology, Pharmacology, Chemistry or related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Enzymology, Pharmacology, Chemistry or related field.

EXPERIENCE

Preferred: One year of relevant research experience in lab. With preferred degree, no required experience.

Preferred Experience: Strong technical abilities in all aspects of mouse husbandry and animal pharmacology, including dosing, dissection, genotyping, and breeding. Good understanding of genetically engineered mouse models is essential. Experience collecting and processing tissue samples for RNA or protein isolation and sectioning brains for immunohistochemistry is strongly preferred. The position requires a highly self-motivated individual, with outstanding organizational skills, good communication and teamwork capabilities, and the willingness to learn. Ability to multitask, work well under pressure and drive personal and team objectives that impact critical timelines is expected. A positive, collaborative attitude is essential for this position.

Onsite Presence: Is Required

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

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 169634

• Employment Status: Full-Time

• Employee Status: Regular

• Work Week: Days

• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 64,875

• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 82,500

• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 97,400

• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay

• Fund Type: Soft

• Work Location: Onsite

• Pivotal Position: Yes

• Referral Bonus Available?: No

• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

• Science Jobs: Yes

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