SUMMARY The primary purpose of the Research Investigator applies knowledge, technical expertise and experience to plan, coordinate, design, and carry out research projects in the department of Genetics and the Advanced Technology Genomics Core facility. This position impacts cancer research projects by developing/maintaining programs and applications tailored to meet research objectives and makes them available to the wider cancer research community. The ideal candidate will have experience performing Illumina NGS library preparation. Preferred experience operating Illumina Next Generation Sequencing instruments and Nanopore library preparation. Previous core lab experience a plus. KEY FUNCTIONS Equipment Operation and Maintenance * Operate NGS bench-top and high-throughput sequencers. * Perform instrument maintenance as scheduled and troubleshoot as required. Expertise and Specialization * Apply molecular biology skills to perform short and long read Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) library preparation and other ATGC services as assigned. * Maintain detailed and well-organized records of protocols performed and results obtained. Protocol Development * Assist in development and design of new ATGC service protocols. * Write and update SOPs as required Customer Service (Service Cores) * Follow Core guidelines regarding order processing. * Interact with client user groups and participate in project consultations. * Alert supervisor to problems/concerns. * Excellent written and oral communication and customer service skills are essential. * Present data at meetings as required. Training * Train students and other lab members as assigned. * Train in other ATGC services and serve as a service back up a needed. Other duties as assigned. EDUCATION Required: Bachelor's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field. Preferred: Master's degree in one of the natural sciences or related field. EXPERIENCE Required: Five years of experience in scientific or experimental research work. With preferred degree, three years of required experience. Preferred: * Experience performing Illumina NGS library preparation * Experience with Nanopore library preparation * Experience operating Illumina Next Generation Sequencing instruments. * Previous core lab experience. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html