Senior Research Assistant

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Within the Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences division, the goal is to keep people in a state of health and wellness by preventing disease development and reducing the need for treatment. The Senior Research Assistant plays a critical role in advancing this mission through biomarker discovery, laboratory research, and scientific collaboration.

The primary purpose of the Senior Research Assistant position is to perform a variety of complex sample preparation and analysis procedures to quantitatively measure biomarkers of disease in a variety of human samples such as plasma, serum, and cells, using a variety of technological platforms.

The ideal candidate Senior Research Assistant will possess a Bachelor's Degree in one of the Natural sciences or a related field and have at least three years of scientific or research experience. Preference will be given to candidates with a Master's Degree in Basic sciences or a Medical Degree. Experience with liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry bench work, biomarker assays, and immunoassays is highly desirable.

Minimum $24.76/hour - Midpoint $31.01/hour - Maximum $37.26/hour
Work Location: Texas Medical Center
The typical work schedule is Onsite

Why Us?
This position offers an opportunity to contribute directly to UT MD Anderson's mission of cancer prevention and population health through cutting-edge laboratory research. Team members collaborate with leading scientists, gain exposure to advanced analytical technologies, and participate in impactful studies that improve human health. The role provides professional growth opportunities within a world-renowned research environment while supporting a strong commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.
• 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

Research Design, Planning, Coordination & Evaluation:
• Executes biomarker discovery assays including pre-analytical methods for LC-MS assays and immunoassays.
• Assists Leadership and other postdoctoral scientists in developing protocols for cell biology assays.
• Tests cohorts of plasma, cell lines, and tumor samples following protocols.
• Maintains clear record of all experimental work performed in laboratory notebooks and completes all documentation with clear and accurate language.
• Compiles, reviews, writes reports, and presents in working group meetings.
• Prepares stock solutions and buffers orders necessary reagents, laboratory supplies for future experiments in a timely manner.
• Performing and assisting in animal experiments (mouse, breeding, weening, bleeding, tissue harvesting, injections, downstream processing and analysis). Performs animal maintenance (safety protocols and standards, record keeping of animal inventory).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Communication and Team Work:
• Asks critical and insightful questions to drive decision making and persuasively conveying solutions to a broad range of team members.
• Communicates with laboratory scientists, clinical researchers, and field experts extensively and understands their needs and contributes to the study designs of ongoing projects.
• Works closely with other lead scientists to execute the assays.

Other duties as assigned


Education
Required: Bachelor's Degree in one of the Natural Sciences or a related field
Preferred: Master's Degree in Basic Sciences or Medical Degree

Work Experience
Required: Three years of scientific or experimental research work experience or one year of required experience with a preferred degree
Preferred: Three years of experience; Experience with liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry bench work, biomarker assays, and immunoassays is highly desirable.

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.