Postdoctoral Fellow - Melanoma Medical Oncology - Research

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join the TRACTION (Translational Research to AdvanCe Therapeutics and Innovation in ONcology) team under the direction of Dr. Hussein Tawbi and Dr. David Peng. This position sits at the intersection of laboratory discovery and clinical application.

About the role

The Fellow will drive translational research projects aimed at identifying mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance, validating novel targets, and characterizing patient-derived samples. This role involves designing, performing, and optimizing complex translational assays and experiments to advance core oncology research priorities, while analyzing and synthesizing large-scale preclinical and clinical trial correlative data.

Responsibilities

• Design, perform, and optimize complex translational assays and experiments to advance oncology research priorities.
• Analyze and synthesize large-scale preclinical and clinical trial correlative data.
• Lead the drafting, submission, peer review, and revision of high-impact research manuscripts.
• Prepare detailed research summaries, progress reports, and literature reviews.
• Serve as a liaison among laboratory scientists, computational biologists, and clinical research teams to achieve project milestones.
• Generate preliminary data, figures, and technical content to support grant applications (NIH/NCI, foundation awards, industry collaborations) and institutional protocols.
• Present scientific findings at internal team meetings, departmental seminars, and national and international oncology conferences.
• Provide informal guidance and protocol training to junior laboratory personnel, graduate students, and technicians.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory records and ensure compliance with safety requirements and institutional policies.

Learning Objectives

• Research Execution & Data Synthesis:
  • Analyze and synthesize complex oncology datasets derived from ongoing translational studies, clinical trials, or preclinical models to elucidate mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance.
  • Execute and optimize translational assays, ensuring rigorous quality control, reproducibility, and alignment with project milestones.
  • Integrate multi-omic, biomarker, or correlative data to identify novel therapeutic targets or refine patient stratification strategies.
• Scientific Dissemination & Publication:
  • Lead the drafting, revision, and submission of peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts for publication in high-impact oncology journals.
  • Present research progress and translational insights at departmental seminars, institutional symposia, and national or international oncology conferences.
  • Contribute data visualization and literature synthesis to support research grant proposals and progress reports.
• TRACTION Team Integration & Collaborative Research:
  • Collaborate across cross-functional teams within the TRACTION framework, interfacing between laboratory scientists, computational biologists, and clinical investigators.
  • Align individual research tasks with project deliverables under the mentorship of Dr. Hussein Tawbi and Dr. David Peng, adapting scientific direction based on emerging translational findings.
  • Participate actively in scientific discussions, joint lab meetings, and strategic planning sessions to advance team-driven therapeutic innovation.
• Professional Development & Mentorship:
  • Develop independent grant-writing skills by preparing fellowship applications or career development proposals.
  • Provide guidance and informal mentorship to graduate students, rotating fellows, or junior technical staff on analytical pipelines and experimental protocols.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Pharmacology, or a closely related biological science field.
• Demonstrated track record of scientific productivity supported by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience in translational oncology, tumor immunology, or biomarker discovery.
• Familiarity with analyzing multi-omic datasets, tissue-based assays, or cell culture/preclinical models.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple experimental timelines within a fast-paced, team-based environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills for effective scientific synthesis and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Benefits

• Medical and dental coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Retirement benefits.
• Tuition benefits and educational opportunities.
• Individual and team recognition programs.

Pay

Full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000, depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience.