Assistant Data Scientist - Cell Therapy Institute
- Requisition #: 177771
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 12/12/2025
Join a world-class team at the forefront of immunotherapy innovation. The Cell Therapy Institute at MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a highly motivated Computational Biologist to advance spatial transcriptomics and proteomics research. In this role, you will develop and apply sophisticated computational tools to decode the molecular architecture of tumors and immune responses, driving discoveries that directly inform clinical applications in cancer therapy.
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The ideal candidate will have strong programming skills in R and/or Python, with proficiency in packages such as Seurat, Scanpy, and Bioconductor. They will possess experience in high-performance computing (HPC), version control using Git, and implementing reproducible research practices. A proven track record of publications or applied research in genomics, transcriptomics, single-cell, and spatial biology is essential. The candidate should be familiar with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow for image and spatial data analysis, and have experience integrating multi-omics datasets. Knowledge of cancer biology, immunology, and immunotherapy is highly desirable. Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and collaboration skills, thriving in interdisciplinary team environments.
At MD Anderson, we offer careers built on care, growth, and balance. Our employees enjoy a benefits package designed to support every stage of life, starting on day one.
Key Functions
What You'll Bring
Why Join Us
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's Degree Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Computational Biology, or related field.
Preferred: Master's Degree In a related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: None
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
#LI-Onsite
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The ideal candidate will have strong programming skills in R and/or Python, with proficiency in packages such as Seurat, Scanpy, and Bioconductor. They will possess experience in high-performance computing (HPC), version control using Git, and implementing reproducible research practices. A proven track record of publications or applied research in genomics, transcriptomics, single-cell, and spatial biology is essential. The candidate should be familiar with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow for image and spatial data analysis, and have experience integrating multi-omics datasets. Knowledge of cancer biology, immunology, and immunotherapy is highly desirable. Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and collaboration skills, thriving in interdisciplinary team environments.
At MD Anderson, we offer careers built on care, growth, and balance. Our employees enjoy a benefits package designed to support every stage of life, starting on day one.
- Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
- Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
- Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
- Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
- Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
- Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups
Key Functions
- Implement, optimize, and execute computational workflows for spatial transcriptomics and proteomics platforms (e.g., Xenium, Visium, MERFISH, CODEX).
- Perform integrative, multi-omic analyses combining single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, imaging, and pathology data.
- Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to reveal biological patterns and spatial relationships in complex tissues.
- Collaborate closely with experimentalists and clinical researchers to design studies and interpret results.
- Produce high-quality data visualizations and figures for publications, presentations, and grant proposals.
- Stay current with emerging spatial and single-cell technologies, helping to shape new research directions within the Institute.
What You'll Bring
- A strong foundation in computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related quantitative discipline.
- Hands-on experience analyzing next-generation sequencing or spatially resolved datasets.
- Proven ability to apply or develop statistical or machine learning models for biological data.
- Solid understanding of molecular and cellular biology, ideally with a focus on immunology or immunotherapy.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with common genomic data analysis pipelines.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.
Why Join Us
- At MD Anderson, you'll be part of one of the world's most respected cancer research institutions-home to groundbreaking discoveries and life-changing therapies.
- At the Cell Therapy Institute, you'll collaborate with experts in cancer biology, genomics, and clinical science to push the boundaries of precision immunotherapy.
We offer: - The opportunity to contribute directly to developing curative cell-based cancer therapies.
- Access to cutting-edge spatial and single-cell technologies and computational resources.
- Support for professional growth through mentoring, advanced training, and conference participation.
- A culture that values scientific excellence, teamwork, and innovation, all in the heart of Houston's world-renowned Texas Medical Center.
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's Degree Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Computational Biology, or related field.
Preferred: Master's Degree In a related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: None
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: 177771
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Day/Evening
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 68,500
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 85,500
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 102,500
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Soft
- Work Location: Onsite
- Pivotal Position: Yes
- Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
- Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
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