Clinical Cell Therapy Associate

The Clinical Cell Therapy Associate role supports the mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center by assisting with complex, highly specialized, and time-sensitive technical cell manipulation and testing procedures for life saving cellular products used in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy. The Clinical Cell Therapy Associate works within the Cord Blood Bank Program, a laboratory environment focused on the safe handling, processing, storage, and release of irreplaceable cellular products critical to patient care.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. In this setting, the Clinical Cell Therapy Associate plays a vital role in ensuring the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of cellular therapy products. The Clinical Cell Therapy Associate collaborates closely with laboratory leadership, quality assurance, and clinical partners to support patient treatment timelines while maintaining the highest technical and documentation standards.

The ideal candidate for the Clinical Cell Therapy Associate role will have at least one year of experience in a cell therapy or clinical laboratory. They demonstrate strong attention to detail, the ability to accurately follow complex technical procedures, and are comfortable working in highly regulated laboratory and cleanroom environments. The successful candidate is adaptable to changing schedules, committed to maintaining aseptic technique, meticulous in documentation, and dedicated to adhering to regulatory and quality standards governing cellular therapy laboratories.

Additional consideration will be given to candidates in a laboratory setting, preferably with experience in clinical cell therapy manufacturing, Good Manufacturing Practices ( GMP ) Lab, or flow cytometry.

Minimum $50,500 - Midpoint $63,000 - Maximum $75,500
The typical work schedule is 7am to 11pm, Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday. This is a variable shift position. Shift hours may vary based on business needs, with advance notice provided.

Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, this role directly contributes to delivering life saving cellular therapies to patients undergoing cancer treatment. The Clinical Cell Therapy Associate supports a mission driven environment where precision, accountability, and teamwork are essential, while gaining exposure to advanced cell therapy processes and regulatory driven laboratory operations. UT MD Anderson is committed to supporting professional growth, stability, and work life balance for employees performing this critical work.

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Cell Manipulation and Processing

• Perform cell manipulation/evaluation procedures following standard policies and procedures which include but not limited to stem cell and/or cellular product cryopreservation, cell enrichment and/or purging, cell evaluation and sorting, and cell product thaw/wash. Complete responsibility and awareness is required while performing procedures which may take a few hours for completion.
• Maintain aseptic technique during processing of products to ensure the integrity, viability and sterility of cellular products.
• Must adhere to special cleaning and gowning requirements for the facility and may be required to work in clean room environment requiring specialized gowning such as gloves, masks/goggles, sterile jumpsuits, scrubs, lab jackets, disposable lab coats, hair and shoe covers, as well as clean room shoes.
• Successfully complete annual competency evaluations, including media fill, and proficiency testing for all procedures with established competency.
• Perform error free calculations, including, but not limited to infusion cell doses, viabilities, dilutions and cell concentrations. Must be able to perform required calculations utilizing down time procedures and worksheets.
• Perform procedures and assays designed to characterize the product and/or evaluate against specifications such as cell counts, sterility testing, flow cytometry for viability and enumeration, colony forming unit enumeration for both fresh and frozen cord blood units.

Product and sample accessioning, storage, retrieval and shipment

• Retrieve cord blood product samples while maintaining cryogenic temperatures for internal quality assessments as well as to prepare samples for shipment to reference laboratories for confirmatory typing or additional screening for use in cell therapy and transplant.
• Create requisition orders and prepare patient and cord blood samples for transport to reference laboratories for identification (HLA), typing (AbO/RH) and infectious disease testing (Maternal blood samples).
• Prepare and catalog reference samples for stored products to meet regulatory requirements and support potential future testing. Ensure proper storage of samples based on sample type. Documentation of storage locations and retrieval conditions, ensuring sample appropriate temperatures are maintained at all times.
• Receive and test sterility samples generated during production of HPC, Cord Blood, or other cellular therapeutic products, as well as reagents and media used in the manufacture of cellular therapeutic products. Coordinate the testing for positive sterility samples (clinical patient or cord blood samples). Create requisition orders and prepare sterility samples and associated documentation for transport to microbiology reference laboratories for identification/speciation. Notify reference lab of incoming specimens and request courier pickup. Notify QA of positive sample to reject the cord blood unit and stop further processing activities.
• Retrieve and prepare of shipment of product and associated reference samples to transplant center. Responsible for unit identification and verification as well as completion of all associated documentation. Verify dry shipper meets all requirements prior to use, including exterior labels, CVSI within acceptable range, no visible damage, and that the datalogger is functional. Ensure correct documentation is secured properly prior to release to courier.
• Prepare cord blood units not meeting specifications for clinical banking for transport to research facility. Ensure all rejected units have a disposition report and are approved to be released for research. Ensure transport document matches the units in the transport tote and that tote is secured prior to release to courier. Prepare associated cord blood processing documents for release upon request. Contact courier to arrange transport.
• Retrieve and discard frozen cord blood units and associated samples for products disapproved for research or clinical banking. Verify documentation and cord blood unit identification numbers match and generate disposition reports for all products for long term storage of associated records.
• Responsible for concurrent documentation of all sample storage, movement, retrieval and disposal in associated tracking applications, databases or quality records.
• Adjust to a flexible work schedule as laboratory processing is dependent on product/sample availability and scheduled patient procedures which may require on call shift activation. Adaptability and flexibility to procedural and schedule changes is required to ensure timely preparation of products with highest possible quality.

Quality control: Equipment, Records, Controlled Documents and Validations

• Responsible for supply management, verification of expiry prior to use, first in/first out, creation of formulations using validated inventory control application for all critical supplies and supplies used for processing and testing procedures.
• Prepare and perform qualification of reagents and media used in the manufacture and testing of Cord Blood, as well as concurrent documentation of all activities.
• On an assigned rotation, perform environmental monitoring, static and dynamic, for room qualification and ongoing verification of clean room spaces. Collect air particle counts daily and document concurrently. Enumerate colonies for all TSA and SDA media plates. Prepare reporting and notify QA and management of alert and alarm level counts for all EM activities.
• Perform facility, room, and equipment quality control daily, weekly and monthly procedures, as well as equipment routine maintenance, basic and advanced troubleshooting. Responsible for quarterly cleaning of incubators and the documentation of all work concurrently.
• Assist with the receipt, testing and reporting for environmental cultures received in the CBB from SCTCT or other MD Anderson departments.
• Utilize various computer systems and databases to enter, retrieve and compile data, complete laboratory records and prepare reports for review by laboratory supervisors, quality assurance and Directors.
• Perform procedures and maintain accurate documentation in compliance with FDA's Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Tissue practices regulations as well as standards set by other accreditation agencies including but not limited to FDA, FACT/Netcord, and CAP.
• Document deviations and events, notify supervisor, technical and quality management personnel in timely manner and assist in investigation of cause and any required corrective actions.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field.

EXPERIENCE

Required: None

Preferred: One year of prior experience in a cell therapy or clinical laboratory.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, paid time off , retirement , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

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.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 181997
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Day/Evening, Days, Evening/Night, Evenings, Weekends
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 50,500
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 63,000
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 75,500
• FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Soft
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: No

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