Research Assistant II – Immunotherapy Platform

The Immunotherapy Platform provides MD Anderson investigators with support for immunotherapies in the treatment of a wide variety of tumor types and helps to link immunologic data with the genomic and proteomic platforms. The platform has three components. The preclinical studies group provides for animal studies to help establish feasibility and efficacy of new treatments and combinations. The immunologic monitoring component provides instrumentation and technical support for cellular and molecular analysis of the impact of therapies on the immune system in order to gain insight into mechanisms of action and to discover biomarkers to identify patients who are likely to respond to or develop adverse reactions to therapies. The immunopathology component seeks to provide understanding of changes in the tumor microenvironment associated with therapies.

IMMUNOTHERAPY PLATFORM

KEY FUNCTIONS

Lab Function

• Coordinates and conducts experiments and carries out research projects in the research laboratory in accordance with established protocols.
• Performs manual and automated immunohistochemistry, and multiplex I analysis for antibody test and validation.
• Helps with digitalization of the stained slides using Aperio scancope.
• Performs common functions in laboratory.
• Coordinates with other laboratories as necessary in carrying out experiments.
• Optimize the CODEX, NanoString and mIF platforms in pathology lab to plan future multiple studies and training on the associated software.
• Maintain an inventory of all mIF reagents required for staining multiple studies, test the reagents when they arrive for optimal use in planned studies.
• Run experiments on slides using Fusion, GeoMx and CosMx DSP microscopes under supervision of a scientist.
• Continue working on the OT-2 protocols for use in staining samples.
• Learn and assist with data analysis on R studio, Qupath, Halo softwares as needed.

Lab Maintenance

• Receives regular lab order and handle disposal of used chemicals with EHS. •Cleanup of lab on regular basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Record Keeping

• Recording, validation, evaluation and analysis of experimental data.
• Documenting and reporting of findings in a standard format.
• Maintain the database for CODEX testing and optimization with all experimental run details.

Education

Required: Bachelor’s degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.

Preferred: Master’s degree with major course works in one of the basic sciences.

Experience

Required: One year experience in scientific or experimental research work. No experience required with preferred degree.

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. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html