Title:  Research Technician II

Summary

A research technician II position is available in Dr. Xia Gao’s laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics. Laboratory uses analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell culture, and mouse physiology to understand dietary inputs in tumor onset, progression and treatment. The goal is to identify nutritional interventions and metabolic pathways for prevention and treatment of cancer. They employ untargeted and targeted metabolomic analysis and isotope tracing studies using newly vested in-house Thermo Exploris 480 LC/MS instrument. Along with this powerful analytical tool, they use various in vivo mouse models and in vitro models to define the role of nutritional input and the underlying mechanisms in cancer development and control. Recently (Nature, 2019) employed metabolomics approaches to show that dietary methionine restriction is an effective and feasible dietary intervention in healthy humans and mice to alter circulating metabolism without overt side effect. Dietary methionine restriction has shown promising in various mouse cancer models alone or in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  The research technicians are expected to conduct experiments and downstream data analysis and presentation that includes LC-MS analysis, or animal studies, and/or other standard molecular biology procedures such as DNA, RNA, and protein isolation, qPCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and cell culture.

For more information: https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/xia-gao-92021

Job Duties

• Prepares and conducts mouse studies and/or metabolomics studies.
• Documents the procedures and results of experiments.
• Collects, compiles and analyzes data.
• Procedures such as DNA, RNA, and protein isolation, qPCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and cell culture.
• Performs duties assigned and related to research projects.
• Conducts literature searches and summarize information in an appropriate format for a particular study.
• Orders laboratory supplies and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• No experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Master's in cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, or related basic sciences. 
• Experience with mouse cancer models, and cell culture in a research lab is desired.