The Immune Monitoring Core at the Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center at Houston Methodist plays a crucial role in advancing cancer research through the application of Immunology methodologies in preclinical and clinical trial research, research design,immune technologies, data analysis, and translational research. The Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center is soliciting applications for PhD level cancer immunologist at the level of Instructor, Senior Research associate, Research Assistant Professor, reporting to the project manager/administrator and immune monitoring core scientific director. Desirable candidates should have experience and expertise in cancer immunology, preclinical and oncology research experience focusing primarily on translation of basic research discoveries. Applicants must have a PhD in a biology-related field with a minimal of 6 years’ experience in the immunology and a record of peer-reviewed publications showing evidence of productive and collaborative methodological research. Applicants must also demonstrate excellent oral and written communications skills and have an interest in biomedical collaborations. Successful candidates will join a highly interactive institution that is committed to bridging basic discovery to clinical application through collaboration. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including basic scientist, preclinical research scientists, clinicians, translational scientists, and researchers at various levels, to enhance the understanding immunocancer biology and immunmonitoring on the therapeutic immune outcomes from preclinical animal models to clinical trial cancer patients.

Key Responsibilities:

Methodological Support Research and develop the new technology

Study Support

Data Analysis

Qualifications:

1. PhD in Biomedical science with expertise in immunology or a related field with a focus on immunology applied to preclinical or clinical research and translational sciencewith a minimum of 6 years experience in immunology-related research.

2. Demonstrated experience in the design, analysis, and interpretation of preclinical research work and translational research, preferably in the context of oncology or cancer-related research.

3. Proficiency inimmunology functional assays, with the ability to conduct complex multiple chanle design and develop innovative new technology and methodologies.

4. Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, convey cancer immunology concepts to non-immunologyscientist, and contribute to scientific publications and grant proposals.

5. Previous experience in an academic or research-oriented environment, with a track record of scholarly activities such as publications, presentations, and grant applications.

6. Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a dynamic research environment.

7. Experience serving on committees related to translational research design, clinical trials, protocol development, or data monitoring is desirable.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides expert guidance to HMAI scientists, staff, management and executives.

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal results in relation to area of expertise. Collaborates with scientists, staff, management and executives by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information as it relates to area of expertise in a comprehensive manner.

• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews HMAI activities related to area of expertise and provides guidance or recommendations. Maintains accurate records of expertise related activities and data.

• Performs research, incorporates novel procedures and improves methods/procedures/ processes related to area of expertise.

• Serves as liaison between scientists & staff and management, committees & executives related to area of expertise.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establishes and maintains documented, consistent processes related to area of expertise.

• Writes and maintains regulatory and safety committee applications/protocols related to area of expertise.

• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations and contributes to meeting departmental and institute targets related to area of expertise.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assumes responsibility and oversight for goals and objectives related to area of expertise, to include preparing cost projections for department/office activities and maintains accurate records of expenditures.

• Provides scientific leadership and vision for the Core Facilities Program under $100,000 in revenue and with a budget under $150,000.

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Determines specific area of expertise institutional goals and objectives to be attained with HMAI Central Administration and Executive Leadership. Assumes responsibility and oversight for those goals and objectives.

• Participates in 2 to 4 areas of expertise-related conferences and seminars a year. Attends one annual conference a year. Participates in publication and grant writing and prepares scientific presentations.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or higher related to area of expertise

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years' experience in expertise; no experience if PhD

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and public speaking skills to work with others in a collegial atmosphere

• Skilled to manages sophisticated equipment facility, a TEM, an AFM, A SEM, or specialized animal imaging equipment as PET/CT/SPECT (Siemens Multimodality)

• Ability to work in office setting, involving the use of office equipment and supplies.

• Ability to work in a laboratory and/or animal research facility

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.