Research Technician III

Baylor College of Medicine; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX is seeking a research assistant for the Li laboratory to support breast cancer research focusing on initiation, progression and metastasis using mouse models and cell lines.

The candidate will perform literature reviews, document experiments, maintain lab notebooks, prepare figures, and assist in publications while adhering to safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field; four years of related experience may substitute.
• One year of relevant experience required.
• Master's degree in basic science or related field preferred.
• Experience with animal husbandry and mouse models is advantageous.
• Experience with tissue culture and basic molecular biology techniques like PCR and DNA purification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and conducts laboratory research experiments.
• Conducts literature searches and summarizes information for studies.
• Documents results of experiments and maintains lab notebooks.
• Animal handling for research experiments.
• Selects, evaluates and applies techniques used in routine research.
• Prepares figures and assists in writing related to experiments performed.
• Maintains lab environment and equipment, organization and cleanliness.
• Collects, processes, ships, and maintains paperwork for biological specimens.
• Conduits testing procedures required by the study.

Skills

Laboratory research

Literature review

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Basic Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PCR

DNA purification

Western blot

Tissue culture

Immunoblot

Job description

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Summary

The Li laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast cancer initiation, progression and metastasis as well as cancer stem cells. Specifically, the Li lab studies how specific subsets of breast cells respond to the initiating oncogenes and eventually evolve into cancer. The molecular pathways that are examined by this lab include the Wnt-beta-catenin-LGR4, HER2/Neu, and JAK/STAT, and Bcl-xL signaling pathways. This lab also investigates the impact of pregnancy, obesity/diabetes, and antipsychotic drugs on breast cancer, and explores new approaches to breast cancer prevention. In addition, this group has recently begun to explore the involvement of immune cells in cancer initiation and invasion.

Job Duties

• Prepares and conducts laboratory research experiments.
• Conducts literature searches and summarizes information in an appropriate format for a particular study.
• Documents results of experiments. i.e. mice.
• Animal handling for research experiements
• Selects, evaluates and applies techniques used in routine research.
• Prepares figures and assists in writing related to experiments performed.
• Maintains general lab environment that includes but not limited to, equipment maintenance and repairs, organization, and cleanliness of the lab.
• Completes Goods Receipt via SRM/SAP
• Maintains lab notebooks (physical and/or digital), contributes to database maintenance, prepares reports, and supports development of presentations and publications.
• Collects, processes, ships, and maintains paperwork for biological specimens.
• Conducts testing procedures required by the study.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• One year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in basic science or a related field.
• Experience with animal husbandry is preferred. The laboratory’s work involves cell lines and state-of-the-art mouse models.
• Prior experiences in tissue culture and basic molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, DNA purification, Western blot, … etc) are required.
• Preferred Knowledge about molecular biology, chemistry and cancer biology
• Selected skill sets, including chromatin immunoprecipitation-RNA sequencing, immunoblot, ex vivo culture, and immunoblot analyses, are preferred.

Work Authorization Requirement:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty, and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care. Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.