Laboratory Technician - Clinical Trials

Join the MD Anderson Cancer Center Division of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Clinical Trial Operations team and contribute to innovative translational research that helps advance the future of cancer diagnostics and treatment. This unique opportunity is ideal for a laboratory professional interested in supporting clinical research, cell culture operations, and emerging organoid technologies in a highly collaborative and mission-driven environment.

The Laboratory Technician supports a variety of research and laboratory activities involving clinical specimens, cell lines, and organoid cultures. Responsibilities include receiving, transporting, accessioning, processing, and accurately identifying clinical and research specimens while maintaining strict adherence to laboratory procedures and quality standards. The role also supports routine cell culture and organoid workflows, including media preparation, feeding, passaging, seeding, freezing and thawing cultures, monitoring culture health, and preparing materials for downstream laboratory testing and research applications.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in a laboratory environment with exposure to cell culture, tissue culture, organoid research, clinical research operations, or biological specimen processing. Candidates should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable following established protocols while maintaining accurate documentation and supporting multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting. Experience handling research specimens, maintaining laboratory records, and supporting quality and compliance activities is highly desirable.

This position plays an important role in maintaining quality and regulatory compliance by documenting quality control and quality assurance activities, maintaining laboratory records and controlled documents, supporting inventory management, and ensuring adherence to CAP, CLIA, and institutional standards. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, excellent recordkeeping skills, and a commitment to maintaining inspection-ready laboratory practices.

Success in this role requires strong communication and teamwork skills, as the Laboratory Technician collaborates closely with laboratory scientists, research staff, clinical trial teams, and other stakeholders. The position also assists with training new personnel and students, supports troubleshooting efforts, and contributes to the efficient operation of laboratory workflows that support both patient-centered research and scientific discovery.

At MD Anderson Cancer Center, you'll have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge laboratory technologies and translational research programs while helping advance the institution's mission of Making Cancer History. MD Anderson offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and the chance to build a rewarding career at one of the world's leading cancer centers.

The hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm. The ideal candidate will have a bachelors degree in a science related field

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Specimen, Cell Culture, and Organoid Workflow Support.

• Correctly receives, transports, accessions, processes, and identifies clinical and research specimens, cell lines, and organoid cultures in accordance with approved procedures
• Performs routine cell culture and organoid maintenance activities, including media preparation, feeding, passaging, washing, seeding, freezing/thawing, and daily monitoring of culture health
• Evaluates specimen and culture integrity and notifies appropriate personnel of unacceptable specimens, compromised cultures, or deviations per departmental procedure
• Executes standardized organoid handling, ratio setup, and preparation steps to support downstream laboratory testing
• Independently performs assigned laboratory tasks, prioritizing and organizing workflow to meet section productivity and turnaround time expectations
• Maintains working knowledge of pre-analytical, cell culture, and laboratory processes to support troubleshooting and timely problem resolution
• Demonstrates calmness and adaptability in fast-paced or changing environments and assists with urgent or high-volume laboratory needs as required

Quality, Compliance, and Documentation

• Performs, monitors, and documents required quality control and quality assurance activities, including those related to cell culture and organoid workflows, in accordance with CAP, CLIA, and institutional policies
• Maintains neat, accurate, complete, and contemporaneous records using laboratory information systems, logs, and controlled documents
• Acquires and maintains proficiency in required computer systems, laboratory software, and documentation platforms
• Keeps current with departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to support ongoing compliance and inspection readiness
• Assists with monitoring, documenting, and maintaining inventory control systems, ensuring appropriate use, storage, and tracking of laboratory supplies, reagents, and culture materials

Professional Conduct, Training, and Communication

• Demonstrates professionalism, cooperation, and effective communication when interacting with internal and external customers, including adherence to section telephone courtesy policies
• Communicates issues, specimen concerns, culture problems, and resolution outcomes in accordance with section and laboratory policies
• Assists with training and instruction of new personnel, students, or temporary staff regarding laboratory policies, safety practices, cell culture techniques, and routine workflows
• Works independently while supporting team-based operations, assisting co-workers as workload and priorities permit
• Maintains professional appearance, hygiene, and attire consistent with departmental, divisional, and institutional dress code standards

Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION

• Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Preferred: Associate's Degree or

Bachelor's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: 1 year In a clinical medical laboratory or similar setting or

No experience required with preferred 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: 181231
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 38,000
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 47,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 57,000
• FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Soft
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: No
• Referral Bonus Available?: No
• Relocation Assistance Available?: No

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