Institute Associate Scientist III Cell Biology - University of Texas M.D. Anderson : Job Details

Within The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lies a powerful engine driving the future of new targeted, immune- and cell-based therapies: the Therapeutics Discovery Division. Therapeutics Discovery eliminates the bottlenecks that hamper traditional drug discovery, with a multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers, doctors, drug developers and scientific experts working together to develop small-molecule drugs, biologics and cellular therapies. Our unique structure and collaborative approach allow the team to work with agility, bringing novel medicines from concept to clinic quickly and efficiently - all under the same roof.

The TRACTION platform

The Translational Research to AdvanCe Therapeutics and Innovation in ONcology (TRACTION) platform is an industrialized translational research group that aligns world-class drug discovery and development with highly innovative the science and clinical care research, for which MD Anderson Cancer Center is known. Through an investment in patient-centric research, we have developed the infrastructure, platforms, and capabilities to enable transformative research. TRACTION's approach combines innovative cancer genetics, disruptive technologies, deep mechanistic biology, disease modeling, and pharmacology to accelerate the translation of novel discoveries into definitive clinical hypotheses. By partnering with the drug discovery engines within Therapeutics Discovery, we aim to advance a portfolio of small molecules, biologics, and cell therapies for our patients. We work in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment with a focus on team science and interdisciplinary research. Our unique approach has created a biotech-like engine within the walls of the nation's leading cancer center to bring life-saving medicines to our patients more quickly and effectively.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and talented Associate Scientist III to join our growing team. With the deployment of advanced analytics, the group leverages unprecedented large-scale data science to provide insights and hypothesis that are rapidly functionally validated. We combine disruptive technologies and disease modelling to guide highly innovative science that leads to novel therapeutics, drug repurposing, novel combination or biomarker strategies that are quickly evaluated in the clinic. With this systematic and rapid reverse translation engine, we accelerate the discovery of transformative therapies and fuel prospective clinical trials to change standard-of-care (SOC) for unmet medical needs.

The Associate Scientist III will be a key team member in the organization participating in cross-functional research to validate novel pre-clinical and clinical hypotheses. Building on our unique model of drug discovery, the Associate Scientist III will deploy state-of-the-art disease modeling, genetic and pharmacological approaches to validate new therapeutic hypotheses, and position drug candidates for clinical success.

By joining the TRACTION and the Therapeutics Discovery Division, you have the opportunity to use your talents to make a direct impact on the lives of our patients.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

* Under minimal supervision, conducts laboratory experiments to enable advancement of discovery projects.

* Assists in the development and timely follows research workplans to address specific experimental questions.

* Collects data, performs baseline analysis, documents and summarizes findings.

* Under minimal supervision, establishes and validates mechanistic and functional biochemical and/or cell-based studies for evaluating novel therapeutic targets and troubleshoots issues.

* Performs common tissue culture techniques including viral transduction and DNA/siRNA transfection to generate stable cell lines.

* Executes target validation and mechanism of action studies using genetic (e.g. RNAi, CRISPR-Cas9, cDNAs) and pharmacological (e.g. small molecule inhibitors or antibodies) approaches.

* Develop and utilize functional (i.e. soft agar, migration, invasion, proliferation, etc.) cell bases assays.

* Assist in the application of functional genomics approaches to enable systematic investigation into mechanisms of tumorigenesis and drug resistance.

* Contributes to in vivo model development and characterization to evaluate in vivo biology of targets.

* Utilize common molecular and cell biology techniques including Western, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, RNA quantification methods (Q-PCR), live imaging, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry.

* Integrates with cross-functional teams to present research findings, interpret data, report issues and develop solutions to facilitate data driven decisions on program advancement.

* Other duties as assigned.

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:

Required: Three years of relevant research experience in lab. With preferred degree, one year of required experience.

Preferred: * Relevant research, industry R&D experience is preferred.

* Experience with common tissue culture techniques including viral transduction and DNA/siRNA transfection to generate stable cell lines.

* Experience with complex culture systems including stem cell, co-culture systems, primary tumor cells from clinical or preclinical tumors is preferred.

* Experience utilizing molecular and cell biology techniques (i.e., Western, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, RNA quantification methods (Q-PCR), Immunofluorescence, live imaging, flow cytometry, etc.) and/or functional (i.e., soft agar, migration, invasion, proliferation, etc.) cell-based assays is essential.

* Experience using pharmacological approaches for target validation and mechanism of action studies is preferred.

* Experience designing experiments and interpreting results is expected, and demonstrated ability for critical thinking, troubleshooting and problem solving is a must.

* Demonstrated ability to follow research plans and timelines.

* Experience working in highly matrixed organization; a collaborative attitude is essential for this position.

* Ability to work well under pressure and drive projects that impact critical timelines is essential.

* Employ safe lab practices and maintain research records and laboratory notes is essential.

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.

Additional Information

* Requisition ID: 171026

* Employment Status: Full-Time

* Employee Status: Regular

* Work Week: Days

* Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 76,650

* Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 95,300

* Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 114,975

* FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay

* Fund Type: Soft

* Work Location: Onsite

* Pivotal Position: Yes

* Referral Bonus Available?: Yes

* Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

* Science Jobs: Yes