Research Assistant II - GI Medical Oncology

MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 68,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid medical benefits

Dental and vision coverage

Tuition assistance

Defined-benefit pension plans

Job summary

A leading cancer research institution in Houston seeks a Research Assistant II for its Gastrointestinal Department. This part-time position involves supporting cutting-edge cancer research through advanced technical expertise in organoid culture, animal work, and drug screening. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Basic Science and at least one year of relevant research experience. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits including medical coverage from day one.

Qualifications

• One year of scientific or experimental research experience required.
• Hands-on experience with organoid culture and patient-derived xenografts preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex experimental procedures, including culture of 2D/3D cell models.
• Conduct molecular and protein assays.
• Manage mouse colonies for experimental studies.

Skills

Organoid culture

Drug screening

Animal handling

Molecular assays

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Basic Science

Master’s or Medical degree

Job description

Research Assistant II - GI Medical Oncology

Join the Gastrointestinal (GI) Department laboratory to support cutting‑edge cancer and translational research. The role requires advanced technical expertise in organoid culturing, animal work including patient‑derived xenografts (PDX), drug screening, and mouse handling.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex experimental procedures, including culture of 2D/3D cell models, generation and characterization of patient‑derived xenografts and organoids, and in vivo studies.
• Conduct molecular and protein assays, drug response profiling, gene editing, imaging‑based growth analysis, and viability & proliferation assays.
• Maintain cell lines, organoids, and PDX colonies; handle transfections and genetic engineering; ensure quality, documentation and safety.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction, RT‑PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, immunostaining, flow cytometry and sorting.
• Manage mouse colonies, tumor implantation, monitoring, and harvesting for downstream analyses.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and communicate results clearly with supervisor and team.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Basic Science.
• Preferred: Master’s or Medical degree.
• Required: One year of scientific or experimental research experience.
• Preferred: Hands‑on experience with organoid culture, PDX, drug screening, and mouse handling.

Experience

• One year scientific or experimental research work experience.
• No experience required with preferred degree.
• Hands‑on experience with organoid culture, in vivo animal work including PDX, drug screening assays, and mouse handling.

Salary

Minimum: $45,000 | Midpoint: $56,500 | Maximum: $68,000 (USD) per annum.

Benefits

• Paid medical benefits starting on first day for employees working 30+ hrs/week.
• Dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability coverage.
• PTO, extended illness leave, institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave.
• Tuition assistance after six months of service.
• Defined‑benefit pension plans (Teachers Retirement System) and voluntary retirement plans.
• Wellness programs and employee resource groups.

Other Duties

Assist lab staff as needed, maintain safety and compliance, and perform any other duties assigned.

Additional Information

Requisition ID: 177161. Employment status: Part‑time (eligible for benefits). Employment type: Regular. Work location: Onsite. Work week: Days. FLSA: Exempt and not eligible for overtime pay. Soft fund type.

EEO Statement

MD Anderson offers equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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. https://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html