Senior Research Histology Technician

The Veterinary Medicine and Surgery department exists to serve UT MD Anderson research programs. Our primary aim is to provide the best possible veterinary care, facilities and services in support of the institutional animal care and use program, in keeping with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accreditation standards.

The Senior Research Histology Technician provides technical expertise, coordination, administrative support and/or supervision in a histology research laboratory.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and assay optimization, digital slide scanning, and animal research. The ideal candidate will have one of the following qualifications: at least three years of histopathology experience within the past ten years under the supervision of a pathologist certified (or eligible) by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology or an equivalently certified medical scientist; or at least one year of relevant histopathology experience combined with successful completion of a NAACLS-accredited Histotechnician program and current active HT (ASCP) certification.

The salary range is Minimum $32.21 - Midpoint $40.14 - Maximum $48.08 per hour, based on a 40-hour work week.

The typical work schedule is Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:30pm.

The work location is Texas Medical Center.

Why Us?
This role offers the opportunity to directly support groundbreaking cancer research through high-quality veterinary histology services while working in a collaborative and mission-driven environment. UT MD Anderson values professional growth, technical excellence, and work-life balance, providing a stable schedule, meaningful scientific impact, and long-term career development within one of the world's leading cancer research institutions.
• 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.

Responsibilities

Specimen Collection, Handling, and Tissue Processing
• Receive and accession specimens submitted to the laboratory or necropsy room
• Prepare microscope slides of animal tissues for pathologist review
• Perform necropsy, grossing, fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and mounting of paraffin-embedded and frozen tissues
• Perform special histology procedures as required by research protocols
• Follow project-specific instructions from pathologists and investigators
• Select and run appropriate controls for specific testing
• Perform quality checks on all slides and verify controls prior to case sign-out

Case Management and Archiving
• Deliver completed cases as directed by pathologists or investigators
• Archive wet tissues, slide files, paraffin blocks, and archive room records
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the archive room

Documentation
• Assign accession numbers to specimens and animals received
• Ensure accurate specimen labeling and correct entry of submission data into electronic or manual logbooks

Equipment and Area Maintenance
• Perform routine and specialized maintenance on microtomes, cryostats, tissue processors, automated coverslippers, automated H&E stainers, and automated IHC stainers
• Rotate assigned equipment maintenance duties to maintain laboratory-wide competence

Operational Support
• Communicate with personnel and investigators in a courteous and professional manner
• Provide backup support for the Chief, Histology Laboratory as needed
• Assist with daily task assignments, customer service issues, equipment troubleshooting, and final case revisions in iLab

EDUCATION
• Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Preferred: Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited Histotechnician program or an Associate's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE
• Required: Five years Histology Technician experience with required education or three years Histopathology experience within the last ten years under the supervision of a pathologist (certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology, or eligible) or an appropriately certified medical scientist with Associate's degree or one year required experience with successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited Histotechnician program
• Preferred: Previous hands-on experience in immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and assay optimization, digital slide scanning, and animal research

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Required: HT - Histologic Technician American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)

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: 181194
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 67,000
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 83,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 100,000
• FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Soft
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: No
• Referral Bonus Available?: No
• Relocation Assistance Available?: No

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