Senior Research Scientist - Nuclear Medicine Research

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center•Houston, TX

About The Position

Within the Department of Nuclear Medicine Research, the Senior Research Scientist supports translational and preclinical research initiatives through laboratory leadership, animal model development, surgical expertise, regulatory compliance, and scientific collaboration. The role includes independently designing and initiating research experiments, coordinating animal studies, developing and maintaining animal models, and contributing to scientific projects and publications. The position also supports laboratory operations, personnel training, records management, data analysis, and readiness for accreditation and inspection.

Requirements

Master's degree in natural sciences or a related field.
Six years of experimental or scientific work experience, or three years of experimental or scientific work experience with a PhD or medical degree.
Extensive experience in preclinical and animal-based research.
Expertise in xenograft, syngeneic, and patient-derived xenograft models.
Expertise in animal surgical procedures, laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Nice To Haves

PhD in natural sciences.
Medical degree.
Experience training laboratory personnel.
Experience supporting accreditation and inspection readiness.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain SOPs to support laboratory efficiency, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate animal studies supporting preclinical research and development programs.
Generate and maintain xenograft, syngeneic, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, including brain orthotopic models.
Perform animal surgical procedures, including tumor and orthotopic implantation, tissue transplantation, jugular, arterial, and tail-vein catheter installations, and survival surgeries under approved protocols.
Assist with radiopharmaceutical and other injections and specimen collection.
Monitor animal health, welfare, and experimental endpoints in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
Work with the Laboratory Manager to maintain protocols and ensure animal research complies with IACUC and institutional regulations.
Maintain accurate animal inventory and experimental assignment records.
Perform postoperative monitoring and maintain surgery logbooks.
Maintain logbooks and track controlled substances.
Train new laboratory personnel in animal handling, welfare standards, and regulatory requirements.
Conduct training and competency evaluations for department personnel performing survival surgical procedures.
Organize, coordinate, and participate in scientific research projects.
Independently design and initiate research experiments.
Design, develop, or adapt equipment used in research experiments.
Set research objectives, evaluate data, and develop or revise techniques and approaches to solve problems.
Assist with equipment monitoring and evaluation and serve as a contact on the monitoring alarm team.
Review laboratory needs and make purchasing recommendations based on anticipated workload.
Ensure laboratories are prepared for accreditation and inspection.
Record and analyze experimental data.
Work with the PI to prepare reports, abstracts, manuscripts, and posters for presentation or publication.