Job Information
MD Anderson Cancer Center Postdoctoral Fellow - Head & Neck Surgery - Research in MDA-On-Site, United States
We are seeking a talented and motivated applicant with recent PhD or MD/PhD experience in Cancer Biology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology to study the roles of TP53 mutations and chromosomal instability (CIN) in development and progression of head and neck cancers at the department of Head & Neck Surgery-Research. Also see our recent publication of Nature Communications, (2024)15:180 for reference. The research involves studies on; a) understanding the mechanisms and impacts of oncogenic TP53 mutations and CIN on tumor development and progression; b) understanding the mechanisms and impact of oncogenic mutant p53s and CIN on tumor immune microenvironment (TIME); c) examining the mechanistic role of non-canonical NF-kappa B pathway in inhibition of tumor immune suppression; and d) targeting non-canonical NF-kappa B-related signaling pathways for maximizing response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy in cancer prevention and the treatment of head and neck cancers.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The goal of this position is to train and help the candidate to eventually become an independent researcher/PI. To achieve this, learning activities of this position include to utilize collection of head and neck tumor cell lines and syngeneic mouse models combined with various in vitro techniques involving DNA cloning, tissue culture, western blotting, immunostaining, CRISPR/Cas9 related technologies along with generation of stable cell line models. The in vitro studies will be extended in vivo mouse model to test pharmacological drugs and/or mRNA vaccine using the established preclinical oral cancer models. The candidate is also expected to learn analyzing and validating the sequencing data from various unbiased sequencing and epigenetic platforms including RNA-seq, scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq on cell lines and tumors obtained from mice and patient samples, following treatment with the drugs, and in some instance from head and neck patients who failed standard of care-treatment. Working along with our bioinformatician collaborators at our Institution, the candidate will be also involved in the analyses of the results obtained from the sequencing and will conduct correlative outcome studies on the head and neck TCGA data sets available in cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics. Finally, the candidate is expected to independently format data and write up findings in a manner suitable for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals and grant application.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Education
Required: PhD in one of the natural sciences or related field or Medical degree
Preferred: PhD in one of the natural sciences or related field.
Experience
Required: Five years of experience in scientific or experimental research work.
Preferred: Recent Ph.D. graduate with the experience in molecular cell biology, animal experiments and tumor immunology background.
POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson follows the NIH stipend levels as outlined by the Kirchstein - NRSA (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-076.html) . This full-time trainee position will provide a salary between $56,484 to $68,604, dependent upon the years of postgraduate experience.
MD Anderson offers compensated trainees:
Paid medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for trainees who work 30 or more hours per week
Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
Paid Education Vacation and Sick Leave
Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave and other paid leave programs
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
Health Savings Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement flexible spending accounts
Fertility benefits
State of Texas longevity pay
Extensive wellness, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups
FACULTY MENTOR
Ge Zhou