Research Assistant II -McKenna lab

About the role

The Research Assistant II position in the McKenna lab at Houston Methodist Research Institute is responsible for maintaining positive working relationships with research stakeholders and customers. This role requires two years of relevant research or academic experience and demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job.

Responsibilities

• Maintains positive working relationships with Research stakeholders and customers. Actively participates in planning meetings and provides meaningful contributions to drive decision making and next steps.
• Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills. Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the research team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information as it relates to assigned systems in a comprehensive manner.
• Fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting and acknowledging feedback, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals. Works towards improving department’s employee engagement score.
• Follows technical instruction in setting up and conducting experiments, including biological assays, quantitative and qualitative analyses. Effectively utilizes and operates laboratory and/or computer equipment. Tabulates inventory and maintains supplies and equipment. Collaborates with PI’s and other research members to provide consistent research collection.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Arts or Science in a related field
• Experience: Two years’ relevant research or academic experience
• Licenses and Certifications: Required

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
• Works well in a team environment, as well as independently, with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritize frequently, quickly shift tasks, and adapt to a rapidly changing environment

Supplemental Requirements

• Work Attire: No uniform required, scrubs and business professional attire are acceptable. No other work attire is required.
• On Call: No
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area. May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area.

Company Profile

Houston Methodist Academic Institute oversees the Education Institute and Research Institute. The Academic Institute aligns our research and education initiatives in service to the clinical mission, providing solutions that answer the call for new technologies and skills our clinicians need for patient care. Houston Methodist Education Institute coordinates our primary academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medicine and other joint programs, including the Engineering Medicine Program at Texas A&M University Intercollegiate School of Engineering Medicine. The Education Institute also oversees continuing medical education and graduate medical education, and supports trainees in residence for medical, nursing, allied health and research education programs. Houston Methodist Research Institute supports research programs and infrastructure that enable faculty across the system to bring new scientific discoveries to patients as rapidly as possible through the full cycle of a cure from conceptual bench research, to prototyping and development, to clinical trials and FDA approval. The Research Institute supports clinical research protocols and extramurally funded translational research programs.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.