Research Scientist, Peds Hematology/Oncology

Within the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology in the Department of Pediatrics, the research scientist will be primarily responsible for conducting cellular, molecular, in vivo animal studies, data processing, scientific interpretation, manuscript preparation, and grant applications which can be achieved by teamwork with colleagues and project manager/principal investigator. Working under the appropriate guidance of project manager, the research scientist will coordinate projects involving a development of novel therapeutics for malignant cancers (e.g. targeting senescence or stem cell-mediated drug resistance in pediatric glioblastoma and Sarcomas). The research scientist will also be engaged in the project of cancer vaccine study in controlling immune-resistance of cancers especially by using syngeneic or humanized mouse models of pediatric brain tumors, sarcomas, and malignant adolescence and young adult(AYA) cancers.

What You Will Do

• Coordinate research projects involving development of novel therapeutic agents and immune-mediated anti-cancer studies by using mouse models of pediatric cancers and malignant AYA cancers. Maintain schedules for staff, ensuring compliance with protocol guidelines and requirements of regulatory agencies; identify problems and/or inconsistencies and recommend corrective action as appropriate. Prepare animal protocol updates and scientific manuscripts. (60%)
• Provide input and recommendations to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects and write a grant proposal under the guidance of project manager. (7%)
• Perform the most complex quantitative analytical procedures on data obtained from the research assistant's studies which include gene arrays and similar data sets. (4%)
• Conduct studies in cancer biology and key cellular signaling. Techniques include mouse and human tumor cell culture in vitro and in vivo PDX models, primary cell culture, flow cytometry, gene or CRISPR/Cas9 gRNA transfection, signaling mechanisms, flow cytometry, Westerns, co-IPs, qPCR assays, ELISAs, ELISPOT, primer design, ChIPs, in vivo studies in mice (tumor, bone marrow, lymph node and spleen isolation), cancer vaccine immunization, analyses of patients tumor and TIL cells. (15%)
• Devise new protocols and techniques for research projects involving a high degree of skill and training. Evaluate adequacy of techniques and study new procedures and data analyses. Voluntarily cooperate with others as needed. (5%)
• Present work at weekly lab meetings and critique presentations by others and students. (5%)
• May supervise Research Assistants and Technicians. Teach or instruct others in research techniques. (3%)
• Perform other laboratory duties as assigned. (<1%)

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
• Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.