Job Description
The Immunology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center seeks to determine the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of a wide range of processes by which the body recognizes and eliminates pathogens and use these findings to unleash the patient's own immune system against previously treatment-resistant cancers. Treating the immune system rather than the cancer itself, the therapeutics developed are applicable to many cancers.
Immunology KEY FUNCTIONS Tissue Culture and Immunological Assays - Maintain and establish cultures of cells, which require rigorous sterile techniques.
- Observe and identify cell changes under the microscope, determine cell count and cell viability.
- Prepare sterile media and solutions.
- Staining of lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry antibodies and operating a high dimensional flow cytometer to acquire flow cytometry data.
- Maintain and operate laboratory equipment such as PCR thermocycler, flow cytometer, and fluorescence microscope.
- Some protocols require work on weekends/holidays and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure cell lines are maintained.
Mouse Work - Work with live mice.
- Maintain the highest level of respect for mice, and maintain proper mouse handling and techniques to minimize distress to the animals.
- Successfully complete training and certification by the Department of Veterinary Medicine to handle and work with live animals, primarily mice, in a safe and humane manner, following institutional guidelines for disposal of dead animals, biohazards and used needles.
- Order laboratory animals and maintain up-to-date animal inventory.
- Set up breedings, transfer cages between rooms, ear tag and tail snip, and maintain breeding and genotyping records.
- Rigorously follow all standard operating procedures in the animal facility, and strictly abide to all IACUC protocols laid out by the P.I. in terms of animal handling, procedures, and monitoring for experimentally-related diseases.
- Perform live mouse handling, including tumor measurements, injections, monitoring weight/blood glucose.
- Perform necropsy, mouse dissections, and creation of single cell suspensions from organs to be used for standard immunological assays.
- Perform routine genotyping on DNA isolated from mice, which can include PCR and/or flow cytometry.
- Some protocols require work on weekends/holidays and time away must be coordinated with other staff to ensure mice are properly monitored and cared for.
Lab Functions and Other duties - Maintain accurate, written detailed records of experimental data and protocols.
- Discuss goals of projects and strategy for attaining the goals with supervisor in clear and concise manner.
- Contribute to experimental design.
- Communicate results to and understand instructions from principal investigator and colleagues.
- Confer with supervisor regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the project.
- Actively participate in lab meetings when others are presenting.
- Will present regularly in lab meeting.
- Demonstrate and practice lab safety precautions. Attend annual safety courses required by MDA and other agencies.
- Handle, store, and dispose of chemically hazardous materials and biohazardous materials in procedure specified to meet MDA safety guidelines.
- Follow manufacturer's guidelines regarding the handling and maintenance of all lab equipment.
- Have knowledge of equipment operation manuals and procedure manuals whenever necessary.
- Responsible for ordering reagents and materials when needed.
- Maintain good working relationship with other lab members.
- Responds and assists other employees, as required.
- Communicate any potential problems with the experiment to supervisor in a timely manner.
- May involve occasional exposure to hazardous equipment and materials.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field.
Preferred: Master's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field.
Experience Required: Three years of experience in scientific or experimental research work. With preferred degree, one year of required experience.
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.
Job Tags
Holiday work, Local area,