Postdoctoral Fellow - Pulmonary Medicine - Research

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 64,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow in the department of Pulmonary Medicine to study lung inflammation and its role in promoting lung cancer. The project aims to understand the inflammatory tumor microenvironment and identify strategies to prevent progression and enhance immunotherapy efficacy.

The successful candidate will perform in vivo and ex vivo analyses, manage mouse models, cell sorting, and genomic assays, and contribute to

Qualifications

• PhD degree in a relevant field is required.
• Experience with small rodents is a plus.
• Strong background in molecular biology and immunology techniques.

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.
• Performs histologic analyses including tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry.
• Conducts microscopic and morphometric image analyses of histological specimens.
• Operates laboratory equipment (thermocyclers, gel electrophoresis, nebulizers, spectrophotometers).
• Performs PCR-based genotyping and gene expression analyses.
• Cell sorting and flow cytometry for immunophenotyping of lung tissues.
• Protein extraction and assays (ELISA, Western blot).
• Reads current literature on lung inflammation and cancer biology and laboratory methods.
• Communicates with project superiors to adapt procedures as needed and records data accurately.
• Analyzes data, prepares figures, and assists with manuscript writing.

Skills

Molecular biology

Immunology techniques

Small rodent handling

Education

PhD degree

Job description

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.

Essential job functions include:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Performs microscopic and morphometric image analyses of histological specimens.
4. Constructs, assembles, and operates laboratory apparatus and equipment including thermocyclers, agarose gel electrophoresis units, nebulizers/gas compressors, and spectrophotometers.
5. Isolates, extracts, purifies, and analyzes mouse genomic DNA for genotyping purposes using PCR.
6. Isolates, extracts, purifies, and analyzes mouse RNA for purposes of gene expression analysis.
7. Cell sorting and flowcytometry analysis for immunophenotyping of the lung tissues.
8. Protein extraction and performing the protein-based assays including ELISA and Western Blot.
9. Reads literature relevant to lung inflammation, to lung cancer biology, to epithelial and immune cell function and/or to laboratory methods.
10. The employee must communicate freely and clearly and must confer with superiors regarding new procedures and modify them according to the needs of the project.
11. Records and evaluates data obtained in accordance with methods requested and confers with superiors regarding results obtained.
12. Analyze data, prepare graphs, figures, and help in writing and submitting the manuscript.

All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Perform and troubleshoot experiments independently.
2. Present data in formal Laboratory Meetings (quarterly).
3. Present papers in Laboratory Journal Club Meetings (quarterly).
4. Present data in national and international meetings in form of poster or podium talk.
5. Develop progress report and future plan (yearly).
6. Prepare high-quality figures and write manuscript for publication.
7. 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.

POSITION INFORMATION

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

Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.