Research Associate

Summary

As the Director for the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center I coordinate an interdisciplinary team of oncologists, pathologists, epidemiologists, basic scientists and statisticians focused on improving our ability to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer.  The Ellis laboratory engages in frontier-level approaches that integrate big data science (“omics”) to gain a better overall understanding of how genetic aberrations in breast cancer cells influence disease characteristics and therapeutic response. The journey from gene to gene expression to protein expression to protein activation is an extremely complex process under precise regulatory control. Our pioneering collaborative studies have revealed a more complete “picture” of how gene copy number aberrations affects protein activation through the use of combinatorial “omics” analyses (Mertins et al., Nature, 2016). Such proteogenomic (linking proteins and genes) analysis continues to be of intense interest. We are now extending this approach to our patient-derived xenograft models, thereby, supporting the development of tailored therapeutic approaches.

Job Duties

• Prepares and conducts laboratory research experiments.
• Collects, compiles and analyzes data.
• Conducts literature searches and summarizes information in an appropriate format for a particular study.
• Responsible for inventory and ordering of consumables and supplies, waste disposal, management of MSDS and chemical inventory: management of instruments and shared facilities.
• Selects, evaluates and applies techniques used in routine research.
• Engages in teaching graduate or medical students.
• Oversees and conducts preclinical, in-vivo experimental studies involving breast cancer patient derived xenografts (PDXs). 
• Serves as IACUC certified Training Ambassador for animal surgeries in the lab. 
• Trains lab personnel in mice surgical procedures and other techniques.
• Executes vivo drug efficacy studies involving small/large molecule cancer therapeutics dosed in numerous breast cancer PDX mice models and other mice strains for various projects.
• Coordinates the activities of personnel engaged in research and in vivo experimental testing.
• Must have strong skills with handling animal models including performing/maintaining therapeutic experiments using PDX models. 
• Collaborates with scientists out of the lab for multidisciplinary study.
• Develops new model and technique to support the cancer-related research in the lab.
• Advises junior scientists and provide guidance on their projects.
• Drafts laboratory protocols- periodic review and updating of Laboratory Biosafety protocol; animal protocol, internal auditing within the organization and ensuring training compliance for the lab members.
• Works with PI to improve quality of laboratory processes and project management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Basic Science or a related field.  Experience in lieu of degree will not be accepted.
• Three years of relevant experience typically as a Research Assistant, Research Technician or Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Must be a team player and work well within a group. 
• The individual should be self-motivated and enjoy being highly organized, detail-oriented, communicative, and collaborative. The individual should enjoy contributing to ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the laboratory. The lab provides an interactive and stimulating scientific environment and opportunities for growth.