Research Assistant II - Mice Experience - Immunology

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public. 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

Summary

Tissue Culture

• Maintains and establishes primary cell cultures using human or mouse tissues, which requires rigorous sterile techniques. Must have the ability to observe and identify cell changes under the microscope, and determine cell count and cell viability using a microscope and hemocytometer.
• Optimization of methods to achieve reproducible generation of sterile immune cell populations.
• Attention to detail and careful planning of experimental procedures; ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve.
• Prepare sterile media and solutions.
• Monitors, orders, and shelves tissue culture supplies to ensure efficient functioning.
• Performs basic level experiments in immunological research and in vitro measurements of cell growth and proliferation.
• Some protocols require work on weekends/holidays, and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure cell lines are maintained.
  
  

Mouse Work

• Have a willingness to work with live mice.
• Successfully completes training and certification by the Department of Veterinary Medicine to handle and work with live animals, primarily mice, in a safe and humane manner, following institutional guidelines for disposal of dead animals, biohazards, and used needles.
• Maintain the highest level of respect for mice and maintain proper mouse handling and techniques to minimize distress to the animals.
• Responsible for ordering laboratory animals and maintaining up-to-date animal inventory.
• Maintaining mouse colonies and breeding pairs for specific strains. Setting up breedings, transferring cages between rooms, ear tagging and tail snipping, and updating breeding and genotyping records.
• Rigorously follow all standard operating procedures in the animal facility and strictly abide by all IACUC protocols laid out by the PI in terms of animal handling, procedures, and monitoring for experimentally-related illnesses.
• Perform live mouse handling, including injections, monitoring weight/tumor growth.
• Implanting orthotopic, subcutaneous, and hematological tumors in mouse models.
• Perform oral gavage and tail vein injection, and other animal manipulations as required.
• Ability to work in a BSL2 environment.
• Perform necropsy, mouse dissections, and creation of single-cell suspensions from organs to be used for standard immunological assays.
• Perform routine genotyping on DNA isolated from mice, which will include PCR and/or flow cytometry depending on the mouse strain.
• Requires the ability to calculate molarity and accurately prepare media solutions and reagents.
• Some protocols require work on weekends/holidays, and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure mice are properly monitored and cared for.
  
  

Lab Functions

• Maintain accurate and detailed records, experimental data, and protocols in a format that is readily accessible to the PI and others in the lab.
• Discuss goals of projects and strategies for attaining the goals with supervisor and PI in a clear and concise manner.
• Communicates any potential problems with experiments to supervisor and PI in a timely manner.
• Confers with supervisor regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the project.
• Participates in lab meetings and meetings with collaborators.
• Performs techniques in immunological research, including in vivo models (tumor mouse models) and in vitro measurements of immune function (lymphocyte isolations and culturing, immunofluorescent staining, flow cytometry, Western blotting).
• Collection of data and sorting of cells on a variety of flow cytometers; analysis of data.
• Calculates molarity and accurately prepares media solutions and reagents.
• Willingness to learn techniques for handling chemicals and use of an irradiator.
• Attends annual safety courses required by MDA and other agencies. Handles, stores, and disposes of chemically hazardous materials and biohazardous materials in procedures specified to meet MDA safety guidelines.
• Responsible for ordering reagents and materials.
• Maintains lab work area and lab equipment, monitoring it daily to ensure the lab operates safely, is clean, and equipment is in good working order; understands correct operation of all lab equipment, and follows written instructions/operations manuals.
• Maintains good working relationships with other lab members.
• Standing for long periods of time and moving around from one area of the lab to another to work with different equipment.
• May involve occasional exposure to hazardous equipment and materials.
• Must be able to understand verbal and written directions. Must be able to respond and assist other employees, as required.
• Communicate results effectively to and understand instructions from the PI, supervisor, and coworkers.
• Clear and accurate communication both face-to-face and over phone/teleconferencing required.
• Communicate effectively with those outside of the lab including collaborators, vendors, and core facility personnel.
  
  

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 - Animal Experience - Mouse Handling

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: 173266
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Day/Evening, Days
• 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