Research Investigator – MD Anderson Cancer Center – Houston, TX

Research Investigator

One of the largest multidisciplinary programs for lymphoma and myeloma in the U.S., the department includes 25 faculty members, 20 of whom see and treat patients. Our patients benefit from a team approach that includes our colleagues in radiology, surgery, radiation therapy, hematopathology, and stem cell transplantation, as well as clinical pharmacists, research and clinical nurses, social workers, and dietitians.

Job Responsibilities

Research and Design Activities.

Assists principal investigator with scientific research projects. Functions in a separate and independent manner in the design and initiation of research experiments. Designs, develops or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results. Determines specific goals or objectives to be obtained, evaluates research data and develops and revises techniques or approaches to work problems. Represents department or research committees as needed. Plans, organizes, coordinates and participates in scientific research projects. Participates in research activities developing new and innovative techniques working with large numbers of materials and data, developing and implementing support systems to document research results. Applies technical expertise and experience to plan, coordinate, design, supervise, and carry out research projects. Coordinates all activities relating to the collection of the research specimen which can be obtained from various sources, such as from the bone marrow aspirate or biopsy, tumor biopsy, FNA sampling, paracentesis or thoracentesis samples, serum collection, bucal samples, bronchial washing, and others. Oversees Sample processing, data collection, and data analysis. Oversees data collection, data processing and data analyses for observational data from large population based datasets. Performs independent data analysis.

Lab Operations.

Designs, develops or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results. Uses research knowledge and expertise to identify and resolve laboratory operational issues, data collection and management issues and interacts with all levels of internal and external sources to resolve problems. Ensures laboratory adherence to safety standards. Supervise, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the various activities, functions, and procedures involving the daily activity within the research group while exercises considerable imagination, initiative and inventiveness in planning and executing the details of experiments and in evaluating and interpreting the results. Prepare samples to be submitted to other Core labs for further analysis. Maintain records of animal colonies and breeding strategies. Responsible for major participation in the development and revision of techniques, assembles and operates laboratory apparatus and equipment. Collaborates or assists with supervisor, senior research staff and trainees with preparation of reports and grant requests. Perform various animal experiments and laboratory techniques, including animal breeding and surgery, tissue processing, immunohistochemical staining, PCR, and flow cytometry.

Training and Publications.

Responsible for training junior staff to work in selected technical areas, as well as training in all areas of safety. Compiles, writes and evaluates data for publication purposes and submits project results to PI in appropriate digital format. It is necessary for the Research Investigator to perform peer reviews of published scientific articles to validate theories and corroborate research. Actively prepares and submits for presentation and peer-reviewed publication abstracts and manuscripts related to research outcomes. The investigator will be expected to be able to present the results of their work in laboratory research meetings. Subject to the ability and inclination of the individual, as well as the judgment of the principal investigator, opportunities to present findings at national meetings may arise as well. This individual will share in authorship of all publications which arise from this work in a manner to be determined by the principal investigator, and in proportion to their role in the research findings.

Other duties as assigned