Postdoctoral Fellow - Pulmonary Medicine - Research

About the role

A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the department of Pulmonary Medicine. The fellow will carry out studies related to lung inflammation, and promotion of lung cancer by inflammation in order to enhance our understanding of inflammatory tumor microenvironment in lung cancer and identify means to prevent progress from premalignant phase to malignant phase and increase the efficacy of currently available immunotherapeutic modalities.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and conducts in vivo studies of lung inflammation and lung cancer using mouse models, including breeding mutant mouse strains, and delivering treatments to mice.
• Prepares and conducts ex vivo/in situ histologic analyses using the following techniques: animal dissection, tissue fixation, paraffin embedding, cryofixation, tissue sectioning (paraffin and frozen), histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization.
• Performs microscopic and morphometric image analyses of histological specimens.
• Constructs, assembles, and operates laboratory apparatus and equipment including thermocyclers, agarose gel electrophoresis units, nebulizers/gas compressors, and spectrophotometers.
• Isolates, extracts, purifies, and analyzes mouse genomic DNA for genotyping purposes using PCR.
• Isolates, extracts, purifies, and analyzes mouse RNA for purposes of gene expression analysis.
• Cell sorting and flowcytometry analysis for immunophenotyping of the lung tissues.
• Protein extraction and performing the protein-based assays including ELISA and Western Blot.
• Reads literature relevant to lung inflammation, to lung cancer biology, to epithelial and immune cell function and/or to laboratory methods.
• Communicates freely and clearly and confers with superiors regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the project.
• Records and evaluates data obtained in accordance with methods requested and confers with superiors regarding results obtained.
• Analyzes data, prepares graphs, figures, and helps in writing and submitting manuscripts.
• All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Learning objectives

The fellow will be developed into an independent scientist and learn critical thinking skills, and laboratory techniques, and will acquire scientific communication and manuscript/grant writing capability. While being supervised by and receive training from scientific mentor and technical supervisor, trainee will learn and need to:

• Perform and troubleshoot experiments independently.
• Present data in formal Laboratory Meetings (quarterly).
• Present papers in Laboratory Journal Club Meetings (quarterly).
• Present data in national and international meetings in form of poster or podium talk.
• Develop progress report and future plan (yearly).
• Prepare high-quality figures and write manuscript for publication.
• Supervise and mentor laboratory assistants, undergraduate and graduate students.

Eligibility Requirements

• A PhD degree with knowledge and experience in molecular biology and immunology techniques are required.
• Work experience with small rodents is a plus.

Additional Application Information

The laboratory environment may involve occasional exposure to hazardous equipment and materials. The position will require animal handling (mice), as well as preparation of infectious materials (bacteria) with proper personal protective equipment. Usage and safety training will be given.

Pay

Salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000, depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience.

Benefits

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.