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Senior Research Scientist - Nuclear Medicine Research

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, TX · HybridFull-time$79–118K/yrSeen 1 day agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$79–118K/yr
Location
Houston, TXHybrid
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive focuses on jobs in the United States, including remote roles you can work from there.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Master's degree, required

Job overview

The Senior Research Scientist supports translational and preclinical research in Nuclear Medicine Research through laboratory leadership, animal model development, surgical work, regulatory compliance, and scientific collaboration. The role includes designing and evaluating experiments, managing laboratory operations and records, analyzing data, and preparing research materials with the principal investigator. A master's degree and relevant experience are required; a PhD or medical degree is preferred.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Preclinical Research, requiredAnimal-Based Research, requiredXenograft Models, requiredSyngeneic Models, requiredPatient-Derived Xenograft Models, requiredAnimal Surgery, requiredLaboratory Operations, requiredRegulatory Compliance, requiredData Analysis, requiredScientific Communication, requiredPersonnel Training, nice to haveAccreditation Readiness, nice to haveInspection Readiness, nice to have

Qualifications

Master's Degree in Natural Sciences or Related Field, requiredPhD in Natural Sciences, nice to haveMedical Degree, nice to have6 Years Experimental or Scientific Work Experience or 3 Years With PhD or Medical Degree, required

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
401(k) Match
Tuition Assistance
Relocation Assistance

Full job description

Within the Department of Nuclear Medicine Research, the Senior Research Scientist plays a critical role in supporting translational and preclinical research initiatives through laboratory leadership, animal model development, surgical expertise, regulatory compliance, and scientific collaboration.

The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in natural sciences or a Medical Degree, along with extensive experience in preclinical and animal-based research. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in xenograft, syngeneic, and patient-derived xenograft models, animal surgical procedures, laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, data analysis, and scientific communication. Experience training laboratory personnel and supporting accreditation and inspection readiness is highly desirable.

Develop and maintain SOPs to support laboratory efficiency, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.

  • Coordinate animal studies to support preclinical research and development

programs.

  • Generate and maintain xenograft, syngeneic, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, including brain orthotopic models.

  • Perform animal surgical procedures, including tumor implantation, orthotopic implantation, tissue transplantation, catheter installations (jugular, arterial, and teil vein), and survival surgeries in accordance with approved protocols.

Assist with radiopharmaceutical and other injections and specimen collection.

  • Monitor animal health, welfare, and experimental endpoints, ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

  • Work with the Laboratory Manager to support protocol maintenance and ensure animal research activities comply with IACUC and institutional regulations.

  • Maintain accurate records of animal inventories, and experimental assignments.

  • Perform Post-Operation monitoring and maintain the surgery logbooks.

  • Maintain the logbooks and track control substances.

  • Train new laboratory personnel in animal handling procedures, welfare standards, and regulatory requirements.

  • Conduct training and competency evaluations for personnel in the department performing survival surgical procedures.

•Organize, coordinate, and participate in scientific research projects..

•Function in a separate and independent manner in the design and initiation of

research experiments.

•Design, develop, and/or adapt equipment used in research experiments to obtain

desired results.

•Determine specific objectives to be obtained, evaluate research data, and

develop/revise techniques/approaches to solve problems.

*Laboratory Operations *

  • Assist with equipment monitoring and evaluation.

  • Function as a contact on the monitoring alarm team.

  • Review needs and make purchasing recommendations based on anticipated workload.

  • Ensure that laboratories are prepared for accreditation and inspection.

*Records Management and Data Analysis *

  • Record and analyze experimental data.

  • Work with the PI to prepare reports, abstracts, manuscripts, posters for presentation and/or publication.

*Laboratory Operations *

  • Assist with equipment monitoring and evaluation.

  • Function as a contact on the monitoring alarm team.

  • Review needs and make purchasing recommendations based on anticipated workload.

  • Ensure that laboratories are prepared for accreditation and inspection.

*Records Management and Data Analysis *

  • Record and analyze experimental data.

  • Work with the PI to prepare reports, abstracts, manuscripts, posters for presentation and/or publication.

EDUCATION

  • Required: Master's Degree Natural sciences or related field.

  • Preferred: PhD Natural sciences.

  • Preferred: Medical Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Required: 6 years Experimental or scientific work experience, or

  • Required: 3 years Experimental or scientific work experience with PhD or medical degree.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

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

Additional Information

  • Requisition ID: 184127

  • Employment Status: Full-Time

  • Employee Status: Regular

  • Work Week: Days

  • Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 78,500

  • Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 98,000

  • Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 117,500

  • FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay

  • Fund Type: Soft

  • Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote

  • Pivotal Position: Yes

  • Referral Bonus Available?: Yes

  • Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

#LI-Hybrid

How this job compares

Set against the 2,169 open Research Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$79–118K/yr
  • Texas median$87–119K/yr58 salary ranges
  • US median$135–220K/yr1,545 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $98K, is 3% below the Texas median midpoint ($101K) — in the middle half of Research Scientist salary ranges in Texas.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 114 open Research Scientist jobs in Texas and 2,169 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Texas
Experience
This posting asks for at least 3 years of experience; Research Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years at the median (1,222 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a master's degree; 912 of the 2,169 open Research Scientist jobs (42%) ask for a master's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

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