Assistant Research Scientist

Texas A&M • Houston, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Engineering Medicine in collaboration with Texas A&M College of Engineering, Texas A&M School of Medicine and the state’s top-ranked Houston Methodist Hospital offer an innovative medical school program called ENMED . This program was established to transform healthcare through translational interdisciplinary research, the development of medical technologies, and the development and training of “ Physicianeers .” ENMED delivers a revolutionary blended curriculum with focus on innovation and entrepreneurship where students receive a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Engineering degree in the same four years.

The Assistant Research Scientist will focus on conducting studies related to group 1 and group 2 CD1 molecules and T-cell biology, as well as participating in other activities related to the research program at TAMU EnMed.

Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD degree in immunology, molecular biology, genetics, parasitology, cancer biology, or a related field.
• Relevant or closely related professional experience working in a biosafety level 2 lab.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on direct experience in molecular biology, flow cytometric analyses, cell culture
• Solid understanding of fundamental molecular biology and immunology.
• Experience in handling mice

Responsibilities

• Conduct research into atypical T cells, focusing on Group 1 CD1 (CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c)-restricted T cells and Group 2 CD1 (CD1d)-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells.
• Leverage cutting-edge tools, including novel Group 1 CD1-transgenic human immune system (HIS) mice, to shed light on the nature and function of these human T-cell subsets in vivo.
• Utilizes knowledge and skills granted to them by their education and experience to complete research projects in the complex world of malaria research.
• Work to identify parasite-derived lipid antigens recognized by these T cells.
• Utilizes knowledge and skills to advance Group 1 CD1-TG HIS mouse model through enhancement of transduced plasmids encoding human hematopoietic cytokines.
• Refine methodologies and construct these essential plasmids to enhance T cell biology discoveries.
• Contribute to the pre-clinical development of glycolipid antigen 7DW8-5, identified by the Tsuji Lab for its potent stimulation of CD1d-restricted NKT cells, as an adjuvant for malaria vaccine.
• Will conduct various statistical analyses whenever necessary.
• Operate all the instrumentation needed for projects and compiling data; make and record observations and measurements.
• Coordinate with Principal Investigator to write and present scientific papers, grant proposals, and manuscripts for publication.
• Participate in joint projects involving faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians.
• Participate in weekly lab meetings with the center and other departments.
• Participate in joint projects involving the laboratory team.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts , and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree