Senior Research Assistant - Experimental Therapeutics

Overview

The Experimental Therapeutics department at MD Anderson focuses on the discovery and development of innovative cancer treatments through translational research. This includes identifying novel drug targets, designing and testing new therapeutic agents, and advancing them from preclinical studies to early-phase clinical trials. The team integrates molecular biology, pharmacology, and advanced technologies to accelerate the development of personalized cancer therapies. Collaboration across disciplines ensures that promising compounds and strategies move efficiently toward improving patient outcomes.

Cell culture, handling patient tissues, macromolecules and the use of hazardous/radioactive substrates.

• Maintain stock cancer cell lines growing, expanding, and freezing using sterile techniques.
• Familiarity with safety procedures for handling patient samples.
• Isolate and assay macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins.
• Apply knowledge of molecular biology and advanced immunology techniques.
• Adhere to procedures involving hazardous and/or radioactive substrates.
• Maintain environmental surveys and records of hazardous/radioactive chemicals and reagents.
• Record data manually and prepare graphs, charts, and tables suitable for publication; use MS Word and Excel.
• Discuss results from each assay to ensure accuracy and comparability with previous results; reconcile discrepancies when needed.
• Teach laboratory techniques to graduate students, surgical fellows, and other research personnel as needed.
• Assist with experimental animal handling when required (e.g., injection of cancer cells, assessing tumor size, harvesting tumors).
• Stay current with relevant scientific literature.

• Required:
  
  Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences or related field.
• Preferred:
  Master’s Degree in Basic Sciences.
• Preferred:
  Medical Degree.

• Required:
  
  Three years of scientific or experimental research experience.
• Required:
  
  One year of experience with a preferred degree.

Minimum Salary: $51,500

Midpoint Salary: $64,500

Maximum Salary: $77,500

MD Anderson offers our employees:

• Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on the first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
• Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
• Employer-paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
• Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups

Maintain stock cancer cell lines, grow, expand, and freeze using sterile techniques. Ensure safety procedures for handling patient samples. Isolate and analyze macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins). Apply knowledge of molecular biology and advanced immunology. Adhere to safety protocols for hazardous and/or radioactive substrates. Maintain environmental surveys and records of hazardous/radioactive chemicals and reagents.

Manually record data for experiments, analyze data, and prepare graphs, charts, and tables suitable for publication. Proficient in MS Word and Excel. Discuss results from assays to ensure accuracy and comparability with previous results; reconcile discrepancies promptly.

Help teach laboratory techniques to graduate students, surgical fellows, and other research personnel. Assist with handling experimental animals as needed, including injections, tumor size assessment, and tumor harvesting. Read and discuss selected scientific literature related to research projects.

This position contributes to cutting-edge cancer research within the Experimental Therapeutics department at MD Anderson. The Senior Research Assistant will play a key role in advancing innovative therapies through hands-on laboratory work, data analysis, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates will bring strong technical expertise, attention to detail, and a commitment to scientific excellence to help drive discoveries that improve patient outcomes.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy 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 federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

This role may involve maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, and may require routine reviews and screening where applicable. The…