Research Assistant I/II - Neurosurgery
The lab focuses on strategies to (i) sensitize tumors to radiation therapy using nanoparticles, chemotherapy, botanicals, immunotherapy, and novel radiation techniques and (ii) protect normal tissues from radiation injury using novel agents. A major thrust of the laboratory has been the design, fabrication, characterization, validation, and mechanistic inquiries of nanoparticles for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. These include carbon-based, organic, inorganic, hybrid, and multilayered nanostructures.
This role plans, conducts, and directs a wide variety of experiments in our Neurosurgery Department. The position assists with the day-to-day activities for research project(s) and may impact the success of the research project(s). The Research Assistant will help in performing basic science research in mouse tumor models to study the role of targeted therapeutics including biologics, nanoparticles, and chemotherapeutics.
What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.
Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:
- 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
- Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
- The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
- Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
- Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!
We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...
- Free financial and legal counseling
- Free mental health counseling services
- Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
- Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
- Resources for child and elder care
- Plus many more!
Position Summary:
Responsibilities include initiation of tumors, treatment with drugs administered intravenously, monitoring progress of tumors, charting data, summarizing results, harvesting tumors and normal organs for histological analysis and single cell isolation for flow cytometry, and maintaining the lab. The individual will be working in a lab focused on studying cancer therapeutics. The individual will be expected to work with other researchers in the lab to complete experiments. Animal handling and colony management, ordering supplies, updating animal protocols, and lab maintenance experience is required. Other skills can be acquired as needed.
Under close direction of senior research staff, conducts activities to support research projects.
Position Key Accountabilities:
- Under close supervision, conducts research activities according to research protocol. Research activities may include some or all of the following: patient recruiting and screening, traditional laboratory experiments and activities, informatics, field interviewer recruiting, screening and training and/or animal laboratories.
- May maintain clean laboratory equipment and/or work area to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
- Collects, evaluates, and interprets research data to provide needed information to principal investigators and other researchers. Updates notebooks, records, and databases as needed.
- Stays abreast of new and updated protocols for research department.
- Orders laboratory and/or other supplies as directed by senior research staff.
- As needed, may coordinate the work of laboratory technicians and assistants to ensure efficient, timely and high quality results.
- Complies with all governmental and University policies, rules, regulations, and codes.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Certification/Skills:
General knowledge of research fields.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in lieu of education.
Minimum Experience:
No years of experience.
Physical Requirements:
Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds constantly and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.
This position may include work involving potentially hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive agents.
Security Sensitive:
This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
Residency Requirement:
Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.
If you are looking for a great healthcare career in Houston, visit http://go.uth.edu/careers!
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Established in 1972 by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) is Houston’s Health University and Texas’ resource for health care education, innovation, scientific discovery and excellence in patient care. The most comprehensive academic health center in the UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, UTHealth Houston is home to schools of biomedical informatics, biomedical sciences, dentistry, nursing and public health and the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School. UTHealth Houston includes The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center, as well as the growing clinical practices UT Physicians, UT Dentists and UT Health Services. The university’s primary teaching hospitals are Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
UTHealth Benefits
UTHealth Houston offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. For more information on our benefits programs please refer to the UTHealth Houston Office of Benefits Website.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
UTHealth Houston is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law or university policy. Reasonable accommodation, based on disability or religious observances, will be considered in accordance with applicable law and UTHealth Houston policy. The University maintains affirmative action programs with respect to women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and eligible veterans in accordance with applicable law.
UTHealth Houston has adopted a policy consistent with CMS regulations to protect our patients and university community from exposure to COVID-19. This policy affects all employees, residents, fellows, students, contractors, new hires, visiting scholars program participants, adjunct faculty, and volunteers who work, train, or collaborate at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Science Center.
In addition, all UTHealth Houston employees who are assigned to work at a location that is subject to the affiliated partner’s hospital, clinical offices, or agency are required to abide by UTHealth’s Houston rules and regulations, as well as the affiliate’s rules and regulations, including COVID-19 vaccination and safety requirements.
Work location is based on the needs of the department and may be adjusted.
