Postdoctoral Fellow – In Vivo Pharmacology and Translational Oncology

University of Colorado System; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences to advance preclinical development of novel small-molecule therapeutics for colorectal cancer. Ideal candidates have strong in vivo pharmacology and translational oncology experience, including CDX/PDX models and multiple routes of drug administration.

Responsibilities include designing mouse efficacy studies, handling and welfare, data

Qualifications

• PhD/MD/DVM or equivalent doctoral degree in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, cancer biology, molecular/cellular biology, translational biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience designing and conducting mouse in vivo pharmacology or therapeutic efficacy studies.
• Experience with mouse tumor xenograft models (CDX and PDX).
• Proficiency in mouse handling, restraint, health monitoring, and welfare procedures.
• Experience administering drugs to mice by oral gavage, IP, and IV tail-vein injections.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute in vivo pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy studies in mouse models of colorectal cancer.
• Establish and conduct CDX and PDX studies, including implantation, growth monitoring, randomization, treatment, and endpoints.
• Administer investigational therapeutics via PO, IP, and IV with repeated-dosage regimens.
• Perform routine mouse handling and welfare assessment in male and female mice.
• Collect tissues and support downstream histologic, molecular, and pharmacodynamic analyses.
• Analyze data, maintain records, and prepare figures, reports, and manuscripts.

Skills

In vivo pharmacology

Experimental oncology

Mouse handling & drug administration

Data interpretation

Organizational skills

Education

PhD/MD/DVM or equivalent in pharmacology or related field

Job description

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department

Department of PharmaceuticalSciences

Job Title

Postdoctoral Fellow – In Vivo Pharmacology andTranslational Oncology

Position #00804247 – Requisition #41112

Job Summary

A full-time Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in thelaboratory of Professor Dan LaBarbera, PhD, within the Departmentof Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado AnschutzMedical Campus. We are seeking a highly motivated scientist withstrong expertise in in vivo pharmacology, preclinical oncology, andmouse therapeutic efficacy studies to contribute to a federallyfunded translational research program focused on the preclinicaldevelopment of novel small-molecule therapeutics for colorectalcancer.

The research is conducted in collaboration with OnconautTherapeutics Inc. and provides an opportunity to work at theinterface of academic drug discovery, biotechnology, andtranslational oncology. The successful candidate will havesubstantial hands-on experience designing and executing mouseefficacy studies, including cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) andpatient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. The position requiresproficiency in mouse handling and welfare and in repeated drugadministration by oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, andintravenous tail-vein injection. Experience with orthotopiccolorectal cancer models is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute in vivo pharmacology and therapeuticefficacy studies in mouse models of colorectal cancer.
• Establish and conduct cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) andpatient-derived xenograft (PDX) studies, including tumorimplantation, growth monitoring, randomization, treatment, andstudy endpoints.
• Administer investigational therapeutics using multiple routes,including oral gavage (PO), intraperitoneal injection (IP), andintravenous tail-vein injection (IV), including repeated-dosetreatment regimens.
• Perform routine mouse handling and health monitoring in bothmale and female mice, including restraint, body-weight andcondition assessment, precise tumor measurements, andimplementation of appropriate humane endpoints.
• Collect blood, tumors, and other tissues; perform or coordinatenecropsy and tissue processing; and support downstream histologic,molecular, and pharmacodynamic/target-engagement analyses.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintain accuratestudy records, and prepare figures, presentations, reports,manuscripts, and other scientific materials.
• Collaborate with academic and industry investigators to developexperimental protocols, interpret results, troubleshoot studies,and advance preclinical therapeutic development.

Work Location

Onsite – This role is expected to work onsite and is located inAurora, Colorado, at the University of Colorado Anschutz MedicalCampus.

Because animal pharmacology studies require treatment andmonitoring according to experimental schedules, occasional workoutside standard business hours, including evenings or weekends,may be required.

Why Join Us

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus provides anoutstanding environment for translational biomedical research, withextensive expertise and infrastructure in drug discovery, cancerbiology, pharmacology, animal models, imaging, and therapeuticdevelopment. The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and PharmaceuticalSciences and the CU Anschutz Center for Drug Discovery provide amultidisciplinary research environment spanning discovery throughpreclinical development.

This position offers a unique opportunity to participate directlyin an industry-academic translational drug development program incollaboration with Onconaut Therapeutics Inc. The fellow will gainsubstantial experience in preclinical oncology pharmacology and theadvancement of investigational therapeutics toward clinicaldevelopment, providing excellent preparation for careers inbiotechnology, pharmaceutical R&D, translational research, oracademia.

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package.To see what benefits are available for Post-Doctoral Fellows,please visit:

• Payroll & Benefits Orientation for Post-Doctoral Fellows |University of Colorado (CU.edu)
• Benefits Guide for Post-Doctoral Fellows (CU.edu)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time ofhire.

• PhD, MD, DVM, or equivalent doctoral degree in pharmacology,pharmaceutical sciences, cancer biology, molecular or cellularbiology, translational biomedical sciences, or a closely relatedfield.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience designing and conducting mousein vivo pharmacology or therapeutic efficacy studies.
• Demonstrated experience with mouse tumor xenograft models,including cell line-derived xenografts and patient-derivedxenografts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in mouse handling, restraint, healthmonitoring, and animal welfare procedures.
• Demonstrated proficiency administering drugs to mice by oralgavage, intraperitoneal injection, and intravenous tail-veininjection.
• Experience independently collecting, analyzing, interpreting,and documenting data from animal studies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and conducting preclinical oncologyefficacy studies with investigational small-moleculetherapeutics.
• Experience establishing, expanding, and conducting therapeuticstudies using patient-derived xenograft models.
• Experience with orthotopic tumor models, particularlycolorectal or gastrointestinal cancer models.
• Experience with surgical or microsurgical procedures used toestablish orthotopic mouse tumor models.
• Experience with immunodeficient mouse strains commonly used foroncology studies.
• Experience with blood collection, necropsy, tumor and organharvest, tissue processing, and preparation of samples forhistologic and molecular analyses.
• Experience with pharmacodynamic or target-engagement studies intumor tissues, including techniques such as Western blotting,immunohistochemistry, and/or immunofluorescence.
• Evidence of scientific productivity through peer-reviewedpublications and/or scientific presentations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of in vivo pharmacology, experimentaloncology, and therapeutic efficacy study design.
• Strong technical skills in mouse handling and drugadministration.
• Knowledge of animal welfare, humane endpoints, and principlesgoverning responsible vertebrate animal research.
• Ability to independently design rigorous, reproducible animalexperiments and troubleshoot experimental problems.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and scientific datainterpretation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage complexlongitudinal studies involving multiple treatment groups and dosingschedules.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectivelywithin a multidisciplinary academic and industry researchteam.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurateexperimental documentation.

Conditions of Employment

This position requires regularonsite work with research animals and participation in applicableinstitutional animal-care, training, and occupational-healthprograms. Experimental schedules may require work outside standardbusiness hours, including evenings and weekends.

Questions should be directed to:

Dan LaBarbera, [e-mail]

Screening of Applications Begins

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, butpreference will be given to complete applications received byOctober 19, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may still beconsidered.

Anticipated Pay Range

The starting salary range for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE : $63,480 to $77,076.

Starting salary will be commensurate with relevant experience andis based on the current NIH NRSA postdoctoral stipend scale.Additional salary flexibility may be considered for anexceptionally qualified candidate, subject to University policy,internal equity, and available funding.

The above salary range represents the University's good faith andreasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at thetime of posting. This position is not eligible for overtimecompensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plansand retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employerand complies with all applicable federal, state, and local lawsgoverning nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed tocreating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respectand dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

ADA Statement

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicantswith disabilities throughout the employment application process. Torequest an accommodation pursuant to the Americans withDisabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADACoordinator at [e-mail].

Background Check Statement

CU Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environmentfor our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist inachieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for allprospective employees.

Vaccination Statement

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliatedhospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillancepolicies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, orvolunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certainresearch areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.