Job Description
Come join our friendly, collaborative group and help us improve treatments for patients with endocrine cancers!
A Postdoctoral position is available beginning in mid-to-late summer in the Surgical Oncology Program, CCR, NCI. Our group, the Laboratory of Neuro-Endocrine Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral fellow interested in working at the interface of the application of novel therapeutic development and primary model development. Our laboratory program is dedicated to studying the behavior and growth of aggressive endocrine cancer and identifying novel and effective targeted therapies for personalized treatment of metastatic endocrine cancers.
Applicants will gain experience in protein signaling, cancer cell genome modification, single-cell cancer genomics, cell and molecular assays, and preclinical drug development. One particular group of endocrine cancers, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), have limited models available despite an increasing public health burden. These models are limited to only the most aggressive cancer phenotypes, which limits our ability to treat tumors early enough to provide benefit to patients. New models can be derived from patient tissues, and our early work has shown promise in the development of several new study systems including cell lines, organoids, and patient derived xenografts. Some of our current therapeutic work has involved SSTR2 expression modification using epigenetic modifying therapeutics. By changing the expression of SSTR2, the opportunity to treat patients with more aggressive cancers is improved, providing a safer and more effective alternative to toxic chemotherapy regimens. We are currently using advanced analyses including cell line therapeutic sensitivity screening, bioinformatic based single-cell “multiomic” interrogation, functional genomic CRISPR inhibition and activation screens and genetic modeling of primary tumors to further explore new therapeutic targets. Fellows would be exposed to all areas of current research in the lab and multiple projects and techniques would be available to explore.
Endocrine Oncology at NIH encompasses unique patient cohorts of rare endocrine cancers, and our multi-disciplinary program has the capacity to translate preclinical findings into clinical trials, with the purpose of improving patient outcomes.
Training opportunities are augmented by collaborations with colleagues and physicians from the intramural and extramural communities. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of formal, focused courses (e.g., training in bioinformatics and translational research), actively engage and participate in a variety of activities such as journal clubs within the Surgical Oncology Branch.
Qualifications and Job Details
Required and Preferred Skills
- Candidates must have a PhD and/or MD degree or equivalent that includes training in molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics, or biochemistry, with laboratory experience.
- Strong background in genetics/genomics, bioinformatic analysis, tissue culture, and molecular biological techniques (e.g., cloning, western blot, qPCR, protein expression/purification).
- Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and time management skills are preferred, and with an ability to work independently as well as collaborate as a valued team member.
This position is subject to a background investigation.
- Some experience with R or another coding language preferred, but not required.
About the NCI Center for Cancer Research
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) is home to nearly 250 basic and clinical research groups located on two campuses just outside of Washington, D.C. CCR is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and makes up the largest component of the research effort at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Centrally supported by long-term funding and a culture of complete intellectual freedom, CCR scientists are able to pursue the most important and challenging problems in cancer research. We collaborate with academic and commercial partners and advocacy groups across the world in efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and HIV/AIDS. The CCR research portfolio covers the full spectrum of biological and biomedical research. Our work ranges from basic to translational and clinical, and our clinical trials are conducted in the NIH Clinical Center, the world’s largest hospital dedicated to clinical research that offers a robust infrastructure to support CCR’s patients on an estimated 250 open studies. The success of CCR is grounded in an exceptionally strong discovery research program that provides the foundation for the seamless translation of insights from bench to bedside. Read more about CCR, the benefits of working at CCR and hear from our staff on their CCR experiences.
Bethesda
Bethesda is one of the most highly educated communities in the United States and has a nationally renowned school system. The city is a thriving suburban center close to Washington, D.C., and home to many restaurants, retailers and a flourishing arts and entertainment district.
Please send your personal statement, CV/Resume, statement of research goals, and 3 letters of reference to Ms. Anna Coxen at anna.coxen@nih.gov and Dr. Samira Sadowski at samira.sadowski@nih.gov.