Research Scientist Hematopoietic Biology & Malignancy

Overview

The primary purpose of the Research Scientist position is to apply technical expertise and experience to coordinate, design, and carry out cancer research projects while following standard operating procedures for the laboratory.

The ideal candidate is an experienced and organized laboratory professional who can independently run experiments, support multiple research projects, and maintain smooth daily lab operations. They have strong skills in immunology techniques, mouse studies, and basic molecular biology, and they can analyze data and communicate results clearly. They are comfortable supervising and training staff, improving workflows and SOPs, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, and managing budgets, equipment, and supplies.

This candidate works well with others, stays adaptable, and helps keep the lab productive, efficient, and compliant.

• Independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments; analyze data and interpret results to drive project direction. Manage multiple concurrent studies with strong attention to rigor, timelines, budgeting, and resource use. Communicate findings clearly through regular lab updates and high-quality written documentation, and contribute to abstracts/manuscripts and presentations for internal and external meetings.
• Apply standard in vitro and ex vivo immunology and cell therapy techniques (e.g., primary human immune cell isolation/culture, multicolor flow cytometry, ELISA/MSD, cytotoxicity/functional assays) and perform in vivo mouse studies to evaluate immune mechanisms and therapeutic responses (e.g., tumor implantation, treatment studies, tissue harvest/processing, and immune profiling).
• Leverage molecular biology skills to support mechanistic studies (e.g., cloning/vector preparation, qPCR/RT-qPCR, DNA/RNA extraction, basic protein assays such as Western blot as applicable).
• Collaborate across teams and maintain best practices in experimental reproducibility, data organization, and compliance (IACUC/biosafety). Willingness to learn and develop new assays and work with collaborating teams on novel techniques.
• Supervision Personnel:
  Oversees workflow and lab productivity; provide and develop training; provide and receive feedback; ensure cultural continuity; lab specific on-boarding/orientation of new members; annual reviews of technical staff.
• Scientific:
  Develop, modify and improve SOPs; provide training on specific techniques and advice on experimental design to junior lab members.
• Operational:
  Maintain and improve operational service; equipment service orders; safety compliance; facilities service requisitions; ensures lab compliance with MDACC and accredited agency mandatory regulations/trainings.
• Financial: coordinate with grants manager and PI to monitor/plan budget; order requisitions; inventory maintenance; budget integrity; negotiate with vendors.

• Selects and purchases new equipment in consultation with other professional staff and maintains technical equipment for the laboratory. Manages inventory of biologics and replenishes them as needed. Orders materials for research studies as needed. Assists assigned PI to ensure correct practice of laboratory safety as required under institutional guidelines, including but not limited to: maintenance of safety manuals and performance of laboratory testing of equipment.
  
  Takes required training and passes annual examinations. Maintains knowledge of all safety requirements. Coordinates and shares responsibilities of laboratory maintenance and operation issues with co-workers.

• Required:
  
  Master s Degree Natural sciences or related field.
• Preferred:
  PhD Natural sciences or Medical Degree.

• Required:
  
  Four years Experimental or scientific work. With MD two years experimental or scientific work. With PhD, no experience.
• Preferred:
  Experimental or scientific work in standard immunological, molecular biology and biochemistry (e.g. cloning, western blotting) techniques.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

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,…