Postdoctoral Fellow

About the role

Under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Qiongyu Hao, the Postdoctoral Fellow conducts basic science and pre-clinical research on exosome biology and cancer metabolism in breast cancer. Current projects focus on three major areas: (1) the role of exosomes in mediating tumor cell communication and driving metastasis, including development of exosome-based therapeutic delivery systems; (2) metabolic reprogramming (glucose, glutamine, and lactate metabolism) as a driver of breast cancer progression and therapeutic resistance; and (3) identification and mechanistic characterization of small-molecule anti-cancer compounds.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments investigating the molecular mechanisms by which tumor-derived exosomes mediate cell-cell communication and drive breast cancer metastasis.
• Design, synthesize, and evaluate exosome-based delivery systems for targeted breast cancer therapeutic development.
• Investigate metabolic reprogramming (glucose, glutamine, and lactate metabolism) driving breast cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, using stable-isotope tracing and metabolomic profiling.
• Identify and characterize small-molecule anti-cancer compounds and elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action.
• Perform isolation, purification, and characterization of exosomes/extracellular vesicles from cell culture and biological samples using established core platforms (e.g., microfluidics-based isolation, NanoSight).
• Perform routine and advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques, including Western blotting, qRT-PCR, RNA/DNA/protein extraction, and culture and maintenance of breast cancer cell lines.
• Utilize RCMI AXIS core research infrastructure, including Next Generation Sequencing, imaging flow cytometry, super-resolution confocal microscopy, mass spectrometry (SILAC/proteomics), and in vivo small-animal imaging, to address research questions.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, including statistical and bioinformatics analyses, and maintain accurate, detailed laboratory records.
• Demonstrate creativity and independence in designing new techniques and experimental approaches to advance ongoing exosome biology, cancer metabolism, and drug discovery projects.
• Present research findings at local and national scientific meetings.
• Prepare and submit manuscripts on research data generated, at a rate of at least one manuscript per year.
• Assist in the preparation of grant applications and progress reports.
• Assist the Principal Investigator in mentoring graduate students, research staff, and junior trainees in the laboratory.
• Maintain inventory of laboratory reagents, chemicals, and supplies needed for ongoing studies.
• Ensure all research activities comply with institutional biosafety, IACUC (where applicable), and other regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Regionally accredited doctoral degree (Ph.D., MD.) required, and/or equivalent in a research-related discipline.
• Doctoral-level (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) training with a strong background in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Experience in cellular and molecular biology techniques is required, including Western blotting, PCR/RT-PCR/Real-Time PCR, and RNA/DNA/protein extraction.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining mammalian cell cultures, particularly breast cancer or other cancer cell lines.
• Prior experience with extracellular vesicle/exosome isolation, characterization, and functional analysis is advantageous but not required.
• Prior experience in cancer metabolism research (e.g., stable-isotope tracing, metabolomic profiling) is advantageous but not required.
• Experience in small-molecule drug discovery or medicinal chemistry approaches is a plus.
• Prior statistical experience with quantitative data analysis and proficiency with commonly used statistical/bioinformatics software.
• Experience in cell and molecular aspects of cancer research.
• Experience with in vivo animal models (mouse/rat) is a plus.
• A record of first-author peer-reviewed publications is preferred.

Skills

• Laboratory skills needed, including the ability to perform biochemical assays and molecular biology techniques.
• Able to troubleshoot and resolve technical difficulties.
• Committed to a career in Cancer Research.
• Strong interest in exosome biology, cancer metabolism, and/or small-molecule drug discovery.

Pay

$70,340 - $73,998 Annual