Research Assistant II Genomic Medicine

The Johnston Laboratory is an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative team of microbiologists, synthetic biologists, bioinformaticians and engineers. The long-term goal of our research is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities of microbes/microbial communities within tumors, elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving their behavior, and utilize this knowledge to engineer innovative therapeutics and advanced microbe-based technologies for cancer prevention and treatment. To achieve this, we employ cutting-edge bacterial omics techniques (including culturomics, pangenomics, pan-epigenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) to generate hypotheses centered on understanding how specific microbes migrate to, colonize, and persist within human tumors. We then utilize synthetic microbiology principles to develop genetic systems for these tumor-associated microbes, allowing us to experimentally test and refine our hypotheses using in-vitro and pre-clinical models of disease. Moreover, using knowledge gained, we aim to harness the innate abilities of microbes to access recalcitrant areas of the tumor microenvironment and engineer them as effective delivery vehicles for therapeutic payloads (bugs as drugs).

The ideal candidate will coordinate and conduct experiments and laboratory procedures to support research projects and support our ongoing microbial engineering projects and microbial technology developments, as well as supporting general laboratory responsibilities. The successful candidate will work independently with the PI and post-doctoral fellows using state-of-the-art approaches in synthetic microbiology and genomics in a highly collaborative, stimulating, and collegial research environment. The candidate will also assist in lab maintenance, including responsibility of ordering lab reagents/supplies and making of communal lab reagents. With interest and experience in our lab, the individual may assist with additional opportunities in research. This position will provide ample opportunities for professional development and the acquisition of cutting-edge skills in synthetic microbiology research, research planning and strategy, and data analysis and interpretation.

What We Offer?

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

• Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture and stock maintenance, genetic engineering/transformation of bacterial strains/isolates.
• Adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for isolation and analysis of DNA and RNA from microbial specimens, including PCR, quantitative PCR, RT-PCR, and sequencing.
• Assist in the design and implementation of molecular biology and synthetic microbiology techniques for the genetic engineering of multiple microbial species.
• Conduct literature reviews to assist in determining most suitable methods to be used in research.
• Conduct diligent record-keeping and reporting.
• Presenting findings at internal (Johnston Lab) meetings.
• Assist in the development and implementation of standard operating procedures.
• Maintains and supports shared tools and databases.
• Documents experimental results and maintains clear record of all experimental work performed in laboratory notebooks and completes all documentation with clear and accurate language according to the standard operating procedures.
• Assists in general laboratory operation, ensures the laboratory is prepared for experiments, perform related laboratory maintenance such as maintaining and cleaning equipment.
• Assist with monitoring and stocking supplies, preparation of stock solutions and other reagents.
• Orders supplies for projects and monitors and anticipate laboratory needs in terms of equipment and supplies.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and presents progress reports.
• Studies literature and confers with supervisor regarding new procedures.
• General lab maintenance including but not limited to ordering or organizing laboratory supplies and ensuring maintenance of equipment.
• Perform additional work as required.

EDUCATION:

Required: Bachelor's Degree Basic Science.

Preferred: Master's Degree Basic Science.

EXPERIENCE:

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

Preferred: Highly-motivated individual interested in a career in biological research or medicine, with a keen interest in genetic engineering of microbes

• Technically meticulous when conducting experiments
• Highly organized in record-keeping
• Independent, intellectually passionate and able to display scientific initiative
• Excellent teamwork, time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic and results-oriented environment
• Ability to meet deadlines and multitask efficiently is a must
• Basic molecular biology and microbiology techniques, such as aseptic technique, bacterial isolation and culture, strain library maintenance, PCR, DNA/RNA/protein extraction, cloning, recombineering, etc. are stringently required.
• Working knowledge and previous wet-lab experience with transformation of non-model bacterial organisms (optimization of competent cell preparation/heat shock/electroporation), in addition to standard coli transformations, is highly desirable and preferred.
• Experience in the design and use of reagents for DNA cloning and genome engineering with shuttle vectors, suicide-vectors, CRISPR/Cas9 and transposon mutagenesis technologies also desirable.
• Working knowledge and experience in anaerobic culture (anaerobic chamber use) will be beneficial to the role.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

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

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 179174
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 45,000
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 56,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 68,000
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Soft
• Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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