Post Doctoral Fellow

The Clinical Services Program's primary mission is to perform sequential studies using samples obtained from patients with cancer, AIDS, chronic granulomatous disease or other diseases associated with immunologic dysfunction, as well as to monitor viral load in patients with HIV. The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Program investigates immune responses to vaccines in preclinical and clinical studies, with a focus on HPV and most recently on COVID-19.

The Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Program is seeking a highly motivated and talented individual with strong background in cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, and genomics. Knowledge and experience in mouse models, immunology and vaccinology will be a plus. The selected individual will focus on how a disrupted post-translational modification process (SUMOylaton and deSUMOylation) contributes to cancer initiation and progression and collaborate with others on identifying liquid biomarkers for clinical trial monitoring and early detection of cancers. The project will involve both in vitro and in vivo work.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Formulate hypotheses, prepare protocols and reports, execute experiments, record experimental data, and interpret experimental results.
• Investigate the mechanisms by which SUMO isopeptidases of the SENP family promote cancer development
• Establish sensitive quantitative assays/methods in the emerging areas of liquid biomarkers for clinical trial monitoring
• Present research findings at local and national conferences and in journal publications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a Ph.D degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• Experience in biomedical research, such as cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, genomics, or biomarker-related field
• Independently design and execute the experiments, and evaluate and analyze experimental data
• Ability to troubleshoot assays and experiments independently
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A record of outstanding research productivity
• Proficient in cell and molecular biology techniques, immunoassays and next generation sequencing (e.g. cell culture, Western blot, PCR, cloning, gene knockdown or overexpression, flow cytometry, sequencing library preparation, etc.)
• Sequencing data analysis using commercial software
• Experience in preclinical research using genetically engineered mouse models
• Experience in liquid biomarker discovery

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to animal(s) and/or animal material(s)
• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)

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