Research Assistant I - Cell Therapy
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX
Job posting number: #7373558 (Ref:26684-en_US)
Posted: November 14, 2026
Job Description
Summary
A Research Assistant I position will conduct research project focusing on immune cell-based cancer immunotherapy under supervision of Dr. Norihiro Watanabe. The person will assist and perform various preclinical works including both in vitro (cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry, etc) and in vivo (handling mouse, imaging, bleeding, injection) experiments.
Job Duties
- Assist lab member to conduct preclinical work under the guidance of PI as indicated below
- Perform aseptic cell culture including primary cells and cell lines
- Generate gene-modified therapeutic cells for preclinical work
- Conduct various in vitro functional assay such as cell surface phenotype (multi-color flow cytometry),
- Cytotoxicity assay (51Cr-release assay, Flow-based assay), cytokine detection (ELISA, Luminex assay), gene expression (Real-time PCR, RNA sequencing), and protein expression (flow cytometry, western blot)
- Generate virus constructs to enhance functionality of therapeutic immune cells (cloning, DNA/RNA isolation)
- Perform in vivo functional assay (mouse handling, imaging)
- Collect and analyze data
- Perform other job related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
- Two years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in a basic science, preferably Immunology, Cell Biology or Molecular Biology.
- Two years of laboratory work in industry or academia in a related field.
- Prior hands-on experience with cell culture, DNA/RNA processing, molecular cloning, gene transduction, flow cytometry, and handling mice.
Work Authorization Requirement:
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.
Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.
Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission, and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care. - Diversity, respect, and inclusiveness create an environment that is conducive to academic excellence, and strengthens our institution by increasing talent, encouraging creativity, and ensuring a broader perspective. - Diversity helps position Baylor to reduce disparities in health and healthcare access and to better address the needs of the community we serve. - Baylor is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, trainees, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds by providing a welcoming, supportive learning environment for all members of the Baylor community.
