Research Assistant at MD Anderson Center Bastrop, TX

Research Assistant I at MD Anderson Center – Bastrop, TX. The Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research strives to eliminate cancer and allied diseases through advanced animal modeling, research, and education.

The Research Assistant I provides technical assistance in behavior, cognition, and neuroscience projects using primate colonies. The position may involve work in biocontainment areas and requires strong organizational and communication skills, independent work capability, and willingness to learn new techniques. A bachelor’s degree in a basic science and at least one year of experience with animal-model research is required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, statistical software, and programming in Python or R is highly desirable.

Monday‑Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., onsite. Hourly salary: $18.99 – $28.61 (midpoint $23.80).

• Employer‑paid medical coverage from day one for employees working 30+ hours per week, with optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB), paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined‑benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System and voluntary retirement plans, plus employer‑paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

• Coordinate, collect, and conduct cognition research using data from animal behavioral observations, automated cognitive testing systems, treatment sheets, neurobiological measures, and other records.
• Assist with behavioral management protocols and support other studies.
• Identify animals and target behaviors.

• Computerized recording of data, verifying data entry, and organizing and processing reports.
• Organize files manually and on the computer.
• Prepare preliminary drafts of manuscript sections, primarily methods sections.
• Disseminate data from studies and co‑author or present papers and posters at scientific meetings.

• Work with the Section of Primate Behavior and Environmental Enrichment to improve research, behavioral management, and animal healthcare programs.
• Support students, visitors, interns, and residents; assist with workshops and hallway displays.
• Attend sectional meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in a basic science.
• One year of experience conducting basic or applied research involving animal models.
• Experience with primate behavior and study management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, observational/statistical software, and programming in Python and/or R is highly desirable.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center provides equal employment opportunity regardless of 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.