Research Assistant I - Symptom Research

MD Anderson Cancer Center • Houston, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Dr. Grace’s Lab in Symptom Research is looking for a Research Assistant I. UT MD Anderson's Symptom Research department is at the forefront of discovering new ways of identifying the symptoms and neurotoxicities associated with cancer and its treatment, the mechanisms underlying such symptoms and toxicities, and interventions that might reduce symptom severity or prevent symptom occurrence altogether. The department also advocates for policy change, awareness on the part of funding agencies, and broad inclusion of patient report in clinical studies, especially drug development trials. Because symptoms are subjective experiences, we believe that only the patient can truly know the severity, temporal pattern, quality, location and impact on activities and daily life that symptoms have — and that the patient’s voice must therefore be heard. The ideal candidate for the Research Assistant I position is a reliable, detail‑oriented, and motivated early‑career research professional with a strong interest in biomedical or preclinical research. They possess hands‑on experience or foundational training in rodent handling, injections, and behavioral testing, and are eager to build technical expertise in laboratory animal research. The successful candidate demonstrates proficiency or developing skills in processing and analyzing tissue samples using techniques such as immunofluorescence, PCR, and Western blotting, and is capable of following established protocols with accuracy and consistency. They are organized, safety‑conscious, and comfortable managing routine responsibilities such as transgenic mouse colony maintenance while maintaining thorough documentation of experimental procedures and data. This individual works well in a collaborative team environment, is receptive to training and feedback, and is committed to supporting high‑quality, ethical research that advances scientific discovery.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Basic Science.
• None

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience or foundational training in rodent handling, injections, and behavioral testing.
• Proficiency or developing skills in processing and analyzing tissue samples using techniques such as immunofluorescence, PCR, and Western blotting.
• Organized, safety-conscious, and comfortable managing routine responsibilities such as transgenic mouse colony maintenance while maintaining thorough documentation of experimental procedures and data.
• Works well in a collaborative team environment.
• Receptive to training and feedback.
• Committed to supporting high-quality, ethical research that advances scientific discovery.

Responsibilities

• Handling, injecting and behavioral testing of rodents.
• Process and analyze tissue samples by e.g. Immunofluorescence analysis, PCR and Western blotting.
• Transgenic mouse colony management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
• Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
• Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
• Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level