Research Assistant II - Lymphoma Observational & Translational Research Group

The primary purpose of this position is to provide exceptional laboratory support and direct research assistance for the Lymphoma Observational & Translational Research (LOTR) program within the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma. The incumbent provides skilled laboratory processing and biospecimen management support for both standard of care and clinical trial translational research initiatives and is knowledgeable about proper human subject research guidelines.

Job Specific Competencies:

Translational Research & Laboratory Support (90%)

• Responsible for the daily processing of human subject tissue samples, including tumor biopsies, blood, bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, and cellular therapy products according to provided standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Collects tissue as needed from clinical operations teams, including both standard of care and clinical trial research biospecimens, and maintains accurate sample logs and database entries for successful banking and retrieval of biospecimen samples.

• Provides real-time feedback to clinical operations teams regarding biospecimen collection best practices and handling guidelines to ensure sample quality based on project-specific research goals. Independently coordinates the initiation of new research protocol collection processes and database setup.

• Independently identifies suitable biospecimen samples based on scientific rationale and assembles sample vials and manifests with 100% accuracy for sample distribution to internal and external research groups.

• Demonstrates knowledge of human subjects research regulatory compliance, with specific knowledge of guidelines surrounding Protected Health Information (PHI) and institutional biospecimen safety regulations.

• Responsible for conducting laboratory experiments in accordance with SOPs and training guidelines according to specifications of the Principal Investigator.

• Maintains complete and accurate records of experiments and procedures in the designated laboratory notebook, digitally or electronically, at the direction of the Principal Investigator.

• Maintains a clean and safe laboratory environment and complies with all Environmental Health and Safety regulations on a daily basis.

Clinical Research Support (5%)

• Enter order requests within the institutional Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system and ensure research supplies are available to clinical staff for successful collections.

• Perform informed consent procedures for minimal risk research protocols in accordance with institutional policies and research guidelines.

• Provide patients with adequate education to consider enrollment in research studies for which they meet enrollment criteria.

• Assist patients in completing study questionnaires and other study procedures.

Research Data Entry (5%)

• Accurately record patient data from Electronic Medical Record into study databases.

• Document sample collection details.

• Record outcomes of study visits with patients into study databases.

Education Required - Bachelor's degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.

Experience Required - One year experience in scientific or experimental research work. No experience required with preferred degree.

Experience Preferred - Blood handling, animal handling, flow cytometry, PCR, Western Blot, NGS sequencing

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: 174116

• Employment Status: Full-Time

• Employee Status: Regular

• Work Week: Days, Varied

• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 45,000

• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 56,500

• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 68,000

• 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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