Research Assistant I, Simmons Cancer Center

About the Role

Works under general direction to provide responsible and skilled technical assistance in performing assignments requiring experience and good knowledge of techniques and practices related to medical and scientific research. The Center for Cellular Therapies and Cancer Immunology in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Research Assistant I to join a rapidly growing translational immunotherapy research program dedicated to developing next-generation cancer therapeutics.

Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Jaehyuk Choi, the Research Assistant I will contribute to multidisciplinary research spanning cancer immunology, cell and gene therapy, antibody discovery, and therapeutic development. The successful candidate will work closely with investigators, trainees, institutional core facilities, and external collaborators to advance innovative therapeutic strategies from discovery through preclinical development while ensuring compliance with established laboratory and research standards.

Why Join the Choi Laboratory?

The Choi Laboratory offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation cancer immunotherapies within a highly collaborative and rapidly growing translational research program. Unlike many academic laboratories, our research spans the full therapeutic development continuum, from target discovery and antibody engineering to preclinical validation, regulatory planning, and clinical translation. Laboratory members work alongside physicians, scientists, institutional core facilities, and industry partners while gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies in cancer immunology, cell and gene therapy, computational biology, and translational medicine. This position is ideal for individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact on the future of cancer treatment while developing the technical and scientific skills needed for successful careers in academia, biotechnology, or medicine.

Responsibilities

• Performs more difficult scientific and medical research work in science areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, or other related scientific fields.
• Constructs, assembles, and operates laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Records and evaluates data obtained from work assignments for use in scientific papers.
• Collaborates with supervisor or other research personnel in preparation of scientific papers for publication.
• Reads literature and confers with supervisor concerning procedures and implementation.
• Collects and organizes research data for project reports.
• May plan for, and provide working supervision to, work of Research Technicians or other laboratory personnel of lower grade.
• Independently performs laboratory experiments, collects, analyzes, and interprets experimental data, and maintains accurate research records.
• Supports scientific publications, grant activities, and translational research initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and experience options:

• Master's Degree with major coursework in field of assignment and no experience required.
• Bachelor's Degree with major coursework in field of assignment or completion of 2 years of college with emphasis in coursework in field of assignment plus 1 year of research experience at the level of Research Technician or equivalent.
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent plus 6 years of research experience, including 2 years at the level of Research Technician or equivalent.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage (100% coverage for preventive healthcare—no copay).
• Paid Time Off, available day one.
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS).
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit.
• Wellness programs.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer.

Location: Texas-Dallas-5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Full-time, day shift.