Postdoc: Translational Cancer Biomarkers & Assay Dev

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is seeking a highly skilled postdoctoral fellow to join Dr. Liying Zhang’s research group.

The role centers on translational cancer biomarker discovery, DNA damage response pathways, and liquid biopsy, with opportunities to develop an independent research profile within a collaborative lab. The candidate will work across basic, clinical, and computational disciplines, mentor trainees, and contribute to grant writing and manuscript authorship

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. in molecular biology, cancer biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology and translational research.
• Experience with liquid biopsy (e.g., cfDNA/ctDNA analysis) and/or bioinformatics.
• Strong publication record with at least two first-author papers.

Responsibilities

• Design, perform, and analyze experiments for biomarker discovery and molecular assay development.
• Collect, curate, and analyze data, including bioinformatic analysis of genomic datasets.
• Present findings at lab meetings, institutional seminars, and national conferences.
• Write and submit manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
• Contribute to the preparation of grant applications (e.g., NIH, DoD, foundation, and fellowship awards).
• Mentor graduate students, research staff, and other trainees in collaboration with the PI.
• Collaborate with clinicians, pathologists, and bioinformaticians on translational projects.

Skills

Molecular biology

Translational research

Bioinformatics

Liquid biopsy

Publication record

Communication

Independence

Education

Ph.D./M.D./M.D.-Ph.D.

Job description

UCLA’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is seeking a highly skilled postdoctoral fellow to join Dr. Liying Zhang’s research group.

The role centers on translational cancer biomarker discovery, DNA damage response pathways, and liquid biopsy, with opportunities to develop an independent research profile within a collaborative lab. The candidate will work across basic, clinical, and computational disciplines, mentor trainees, and contribute to grant writing and manuscript authorship