Institute Associate Scientist Ii Translational Biology

The Institute Associate Scientist II participates in cross-functional research to identify and validate novel biomarkers and patient responder hypotheses, enable disease modeling and translating these findings to support the development of novel oncology therapeutic agents to benefit patients.
KEY FUNCTIONS
1. Under moderate supervision contribute to project team activities by performing laboratory experiments.
2. Utilize common molecular and cell biology skills including protein and RNA based methods.
3. Perform tissue culture techniques to develop disease models, biomarkers and test therapeutics.
4. Utilize genetic and pharmacologic tools to inform on biology that aids clinical development of therapeutics.
5. Implement novel protein and RNA-based technologies to support translational biomarker activities.
6. Perform analysis of in vivo samples for assessment of pharmacodynamic and response biomarkers.
7. Performs general laboratory duties including archiving of FFPE blocks and reagent preparation.
8. Participate on cross-functional project teams to communicate program progress/issues to colleagues.
9. Under minimal supervision, design, execute, document and interpret experiments.
10. Analyze, prepare, and present data in project team and other internal meetings as needed.
11. Employ safe lab practices.
CORE COMPETENCIES
1. Self Motivation (Independent Contributor): Set high standards of performance; pursue goals with energy and persistence; drive for results and achievement.
* Use standards set by management. Take ownership for actions. Continually meet department goals.
* Demonstrate a personal sense of urgency in getting results. Use personal and management standards to complete assignments.
2. Technical/Functional Expertise (Independent Contributor): Demonstrate technical proficiency required to do the job; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession; provide technical expertise to others.
* Apply basic technical/functional knowledge to complete work. Meet essential position requirements.
* Seek experiences and knowledge in technical/functional areas to gain additional expertise. Troubleshoot systems/processes effectively.
3. Analytical Thinking (Independent Contributor): Gather relevant information systematically; break down problems into simple components; make sound decisions.
* Recognize simple cause and effect relationships. Diagnose problems by breaking them down into simple tasks or activities.
* Identify relationships among a few parts of a problem. Scan own knowledge and experience base to determine potential solutions.
4. Team with Others (Independent Contributor): Encourage collaboration and input from all team members; value the contributions of all team members, and those beyond team; balance individual and team goals.
* Support and show respect to team members. Recognize how individual actions affect the team.
* Model team qualities, i.e. respect helpfulness and coping. Support team decisions once they are made and help to implement.
Working Conditions
Laboratory environment
This position requires:
Working in Office Environment
____No
__X_ Yes
Working in Patient Care Unit (e.g. Nursing unit; outpatient clinic)
_X_ No
____ Yes
Exposure to human/animal blood, body fluids, or tissues
____No
__X_ Yes
Exposure to harmful chemicals
____No
__X_ Yes
Exposure to radiation
_X_ No
____ Yes
Physical Demands
Indicate the time required to do each of the following physical demands:
Time Spent
Never
0%
Occasionally
1-33%
Frequently
34-66%
Continuously
67-100%
Standing
x
Walking
X
Sitting
X
Reaching
X
Lifting/Carrying
Up to 10 lbs
X
10lbs to 50 lbs
X
More than 50 lbs
X
Pushing/Pulling
Up to 10 lbs
X
10lbs to 50 lbs
X
More than 50 lbs
X
Use computer/keyboard
X
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: One year of relevant research experience in lab. With preferred degree, no required experience.
Preferred:
1. Experience working with cell-based assays and experience with in vivo models.
2. Experience with cell-based models (i.e. soft agar, migration, invasion, etc.) utilizing common methods and reagents (i.e. RNAi, dose response phenotypic analysis with small molecule inhibitors, Western Blots, flow cytometry, ELISAs, etc.).
3. Experience identifying and validating biomarkers to develop responder ID hypotheses.
4. Experience with genetic (i.e. RNAi and cDNAs) and pharmacological (i.e. small molecule inhibitors or antibodies) approaches to study mechanisms of response and resistance, utilizing state of the art molecular biology and biochemistry methods and assays essential to drive projects, is a plus.
5. Experience with advanced cell culture techniques and a willingness to work with in vivo models.
6. Strong data analysis skills, ability to interpret results and contribute to the design of follow-up experiments, and troubleshooting issues with assay performance are expected.
7. Having a working knowledge of oncology disease processes and preclinical models.
8. Familiar with R or Python, experience writing scripts is a plus.
9. Accomplished, highly self-motivated individual with outstanding communication and organizational skills, and the ability to effectively present results and conclusions to co-workers, collaborators, and managers.
10. Experience designing and interpreting experimental results is expected, and demonstrated ability for critical thinking and problem solving is a must.
11. Ability to work well under pressure and drive personal and team objectives that impact critical timelines is expected.
12. A collaborative attitude is essential for this position.
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