MD ANDERSON THERAPEUTICS DISCOVERY DIVISION
Within The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lies a powerful engine driving the future of new targeted, immune- and cell-based therapies: the Therapeutics Discovery Division. Therapeutics Discovery eliminates the bottlenecks that hamper traditional drug discovery, with a multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers, doctors, drug developers and scientific experts working together to develop small-molecule drugs, biologics and cellular therapies. Our unique structure and collaborative approach allow the team to work with agility, bringing novel medicines from concept to clinic quickly and efficiently – all under the same roof.
The Therapeutics Discovery Division is built around four platforms: The Institute for Applied Cancer Science (IACS), ORBIT (Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation), TRACTION (Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology) and the Neurodegeneration Consortium (NDC).
The NDC is a multi-institutional initiative launched to better understand the biology of neurodegenerative diseases and translate that knowledge into effective therapeutics interventions. Established in 2012 by a gift from the Robert A. and Renee E. Belfer Family Foundation, the NDC brings researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai together with drug discovery and development experts from MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division. The mission of the NDC is to develop new medicines that will lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but also to treat a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including the neural and cognitive impairments that commonly result in cancer patients as a result of their treatment.
The Institute Assistant Scientist IV participates in cross-functional research to validate novel targets for neurodegenerative diseases, and translate these finding into novel therapeutic agents to benefit patients. An ideal candidate will be able to work in an interdisciplinary team to support our internal drug discovery efforts as well as to participate in developing novel approaches to optimize and increase throughput of drug discovery projects.
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
-Experience with primary culture of different brain cell and immune cell types, in addition to cell lines; experience with iPSC-derived cells is a plus
-Experience conducting whole animal (rodent) studies, including mouse models of neurological disease
-Biochemical techniques including but not limited to: immunoblotting, IHC, IP/pull-downs, ELISAs
-Gene expression analysis in various model systems (e.g. cell culture, mouse): qPCR, siRNA; microarray, RNAseq; experience in single cell RNAseq, ATACSeq, ChIPSeq is a plus
-Ability to help lead projects both collaboratively and independently Technical/Functional Expertise: Demonstrate technical proficiency required to do the job; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession; provide technical expertise to others.
-Apply basic technical/functional knowledge to complete work. Meet essential position requirements.
Education
Required: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, enzymology, pharmacology, chemistry or related field.
Preferred: Master’s degree.
Experience
Required: Five years of relevant research experience in lab. With preferred degree, three years of required experience.
Preferred: Five years neurobiology or cell biology research experience