Full Job Description
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.
SUMMARY
The primary purpose of the Research Assistant I position is to assist senior research assistants and research investigators by performing moderately complex research by applying established protocols including nucleic acid isolations, running PCR, undertaking cell isolations and maintaining tissue cultures and processing of blood derived bio specimens; by performing routine lab and equipment cleaning and maintenance; by setting-up and operating various scientific and electronic apparatus including novel technologies; by assisting with research projects including some independent research; and, by performing clerical and editorial duties including the compilation, processing and analysis of data.
CORE VALUES
Caring Behaviors
Courtesy: Is respectful and courteous to each other at all times.
Friendliness/Teamwork: Promotes and rewards teamwork and inclusiveness; is sensitive to the concerns of our patients and our co-workers.
Integrity Behaviors
Reliability: Communicates frequently, honestly and openly.
Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for practicing our values.
Safety: Models safe behavior (wears badge and personal protective equipment, washes hands, and keeps work area clean and orderly); Notices a safety concern or emergency, understands role and uses proper procedures to report it; Mitigates risk to the institution through sound business practices; Demonstrates ethical and personal responsibility in work and behavior.
Discovery Behaviors
Responsiveness: By his/her actions, creates an environment of trust; Encourages learning, creativity and new ideas.
Personal Leadership/Self-Initiative: Helps others to identify and solve problems; Seeks personal growth and enables others to do so.
JOB COMPETENCIES
Research Laboratory Functions:
Procures biospecimens from the operating room as provided by the surgeons. Works with pathology department to acquire tissue samples per protocols. Processes and stores human biospecimen samples, including separation of blood components, isolation of cells from human fluids, etc.
May process human liquid biopsy samples for extraction of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), exosomes, or circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
Maintains pancreatic cancer cell lines using sterile technique. May extract protein lysates, DNA and RNA from cells.
Carryout basic histological stains on fixed tissues.
Perform lab experiments as needed.
Data and Biospecimen Maintenance:
Maintenance and monitoring of all research data activities, and keeping record into the database.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date biospecimen inventory in hard copy and in our digital databases, with special emphasis in taking accurate, sample descriptions, time(s) and dates of all specimens received, processed and stored by/from all liquid biopsy members.
General and Laboratory Maintenance and Supplies:
Help in maintenance of general lab equipment and lab supplies.
Assumes shared responsibility for general laboratory maintenance by:
a) maintaining procedures and protocols that ensure the quality and integrity of procedures performed,
b) monitoring work flow as it pertains to the need for supplies, equipment maintenance and preparation of stock solutions,
c) keeping ample stock of supplies on hand, d) following up on orders to ensure organization and accessibility of all reagents.
COMPETENCIES
Develop Oneself - Pursue learning and self-development; actively seek feedback; transfer learning into next steps; set high standards of performance; drive for results and achievement.
Oral Communication - Express ideas clearly and concisely in groups and one-to-one conversations; create an environment with open channels of communication.
Team with Others - Initiate, develop, and manage relationships and networks; encourage collaboration and input from all team members; value the contributions of all team members; balance individual and team goals.
Service Orientation
Provide service to our stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, colleagues and each other, in a safe, courteous, accountable, efficient and innovative manner to include:
Promoting inclusiveness and collegiality that demonstrates respect and professionalism to our stakeholders at all times
Modeling safe, ethical behavior that mitigates risk to the institution through sound business practices, and adherence to MD Anderson's Standards of Conduct, institutional policies and procedures
Responding to requests in a timely manner while proactively communicating expectations for procedures, service arrival, or project deliverables to stakeholders
Using the steps to HEAL (Hear, Empathize, Address and Learn) the relationship when service recovery is needed.
Bachelor's degree, major course work in one of the basic sciences. No 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. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
Requisition ID: 136050
Employment Status: Full-Time
Employee Status: Regular
FLSA: non-exempt, eligible for overtime, and is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Work Week: Days
Fund Type: Soft
Pivotal Position: Yes
Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 30,400
Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 38,000
Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 45,600
Science Jobs: Yes
