Research Associate Iii - Urology - Chan Lab

Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Academic Institute
The Keith Syson Chan laboratory https://www.research4cure.org/ has recently relocated to Houston and is seeking an experienced Research Associate II to III (instructor equivalent position, en routing to research assistant professor or independent PI position) who can help create a supportive research environment for trainees and lab members. Our lab has expertise in investigating the stromal and immune tumor microenvironment (TME), and its contribution to metastasis and therapy resistance [Nature Communications 10: 2131 (2019); Nature Communications 11: 6299 (2020); Nature Communications 13: 1487 (2022); J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022 114(10):1380-1391; Nature Reviews Urology 19: 515–533 (2022)]. We have integrated various study models (e.g., PDXs, PDO, GEMM, syngeneic tumor models), single cell technologies, with in-lab available spatial biology platforms (e.g., Akoya PhenoCycler, 10X Xenium, 10X CyAssist), CyTek flow cytometry analyzer and sorter, and ample funding to pursue different aspects of cancer biology, e.g., microbiome in cancer, metabolic syndrome/obesity, cancer metabolism (e.g., lipid metabolism), cachexia, cancer neuroscience, various forms of programed cell death (i.e., -tosis), and other areas of cancer biology.
Candidates With The Following Qualifications Highly Encouraged To Apply

• Expertise in cancer biology in general
• Highly-organized individual who can independently plan experiments
• Welcoming and friendly personality
• Motivated to help other lab members to problem-solve and perform difficult procedures
• Maintaining IRB and IACUC protocols
  

People Essential Functions

• Leads a small team of Research Associates, Assistants and Post Docs 0-2. Role models teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance.
• Role models excellent, clear and professional communication skills to achieve mutual understanding and problem resolution. Demonstrates a positive work environment and contributes to a team-focused work environment that actively helps one another achieve department goals. Collaborates with all members of the research team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information as it relates to assigned system(s) in a comprehensive manner.
• Coaches staff to use efficient and effective communication and fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting and acknowledging feedback, making equitable decisions, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals. Drives improvement of score for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction.
  

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads a team of Research Associates, Assistants and Post Docs 0-2. Role models teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance.

• Role models excellent, clear and professional communication skills to achieve mutual understanding and problem resolution. Demonstrates a positive work environment and contributes to a team-focused work environment that actively helps one another achieve department goals. Collaborates with all members of the research team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information as it relates to assigned system(s) in a comprehensive manner.

• Coaches staff to use efficient and effective communication and fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting and acknowledging feedback, making equitable decisions, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals. Drives improvement of score for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads and oversees work efforts, as appropriate, to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.

• Analyzes data for research grants and publications (medium to high complexity). Maintains accurate records of all research and data collection.

• Completes/performs research and incorporates novel procedures and methods into research experiments as appropriate (medium to high complexity).

• Serves as liaison between team members, management and PI's, resolving more complex matters for the area.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establishes and maintains quality control of project operations.

• Oversees writing and maintains regulatory and safety committee applications/protocols.

• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations and contributes to meeting department and organization targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with ensuring orders are on appropriate grants and assumes responsibility and oversight for those goals and objectives, to include preparing cost projections for those experiments and maintains accurate records of expenditures.

• Researches best cost/quality options for supply orders and is a good financial steward of Houston Methodist's resources and considers this for such orders.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in publication and grant writing as first author. Works toward submitting whole applications independently under permission and direction of principal investigator (PI).

• Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving competencies, performance and outcomes. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging staff/team members in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives.

• Participates in conferences and seminars as well as working towards junior academic appointments as appropriate. Develops own individual development plan (IDP).

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Terminal Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Ten years post-doctoral experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Ability to work independently

• Capable of handling challenging/difficult situations

• Demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average analytical skills

• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.