Summary

The Parihar Lab, in collaboration with another lab at Texas Children’s, is designing nanoparticle-based systems to (1) analyze the tumor microenvironment of solid tumors by MRI imaging, and (2) genetically edit human immune cells within the body to fight cancer. The project requires a research technician to provide much-needed support of several aspects of this work, including lab-based in vitro work applying nanoparticles to immune cells and in vivo work testing nanoparticles in mouse models of cancer. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in translational science and biomedicine. 

Job Duties

• Isolate human peripheral blood immune cells in the lab.
• Expose immune cells to engineered nanoparticles and compare activity of generated NK cells using cytotoxicity assays, ELISA, and flow cytometry.
• Work with Dr. Parihar and collaborators in nanoparticle generation, characterizatin, and barcoding; complete relevant documents, provide updates, and complete reports.
• Generate and characterize human cell lines derived from blood immune cells.
• Generate tumor-bearing mice for in vivo studies, following tumor growth by in vivo bioluminescence and immune cell editing by flow cytometry.
• Generate CAR-T and CAR-NK cells in vitro and use in in vitro assays and in vivo models.
• Participate in weekly Parihar Lab meetings, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy (CAGT) conferences, and appropriate GMP meetings, as assigned. 
• Perform other lab-related job duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• One year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in basic science or a related field.
• Experience 1 year or greater of relevant scientific lab experience after college.
• This individual should have excellent lab, organizational, and communication skills.