Postdoctoral Research Associate - Cell Biology

UNKNOWN; United States; On-site; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Major Laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis invites postdoctoral fellows to study signaling mechanisms in cancer and related diseases.

Fellows work across proteomics, functional genomics, chemical biology, and in vivo models to dissect dysregulated networks and target therapies, with access to cutting-edge mass spectrometry and multi-OMIC approaches. They will mentor others, author papers, and develop independent research directions within the lab's focus areas,

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent doctoral degree is required.
• No specific certifications required.
• No minimum work experience required.
• Strong scientific writing and communication skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepare and submit research papers.
• Assist in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluate research findings and assist in reporting results.
• Conscientious discharge of research responsibilities.
• Maintain conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintain compliance with good laboratory practice and research records.
• Engage in discussions with mentor regarding material ownership and disclosures.
• Collaborate with co-trainees and staff in the lab.
• Adhere to university policies and procedures.

Education

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree

Tools

Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometry

Job description

Location

ST. LOUIS, MO 63110

Position Summary

The Major Laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine and the Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking creative and highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to uncover, dissect and therapeutically target signaling mechanisms in cancer. We integrate quantitative proteomics, functional genomics, chemical biology, biochemical reconstitution, and disease-relevant models to define how dysregulated stress-response networks, kinases and ubiquitin ligases shape tumor behavior, tumor-stromal interaction and treatment response. Current efforts focus on KEAP1/NRF2 signaling in cancer and neurodegeneration; understudied kinases, their networks and functions; one-carbon metabolism; proximity proteomics; chemical screens and therapeutic discovery, spatially aware clinical proteomics with laser-capture microdissection (LCM); and multiOMIC correlates from clinical trial samples. Fellows will join a collaborative and growing team in newly renovated laboratory space designed to support cell biology, biochemistry, proteomics, computation and multiOMICs studies. They will have open access to and receive operational training on a newly acquired Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer, together with an expanding suite of capabilities in quantitative proteomics, PTM proteomics, proximity proteomics, LCM-MS and computational proteogenomics. Projects are designed to progress from unbiased discovery to rigorous mechanistic validation and translational testing in organoids, mice and patient samples. Fellows will define their projects and project direction within the laboratory’s broader areas of interest (e.g., KEAP1/NRF2, kinases, OMIC correlates with patient outcome/response, and others). The Major Laboratory is committed to helping fellows build an independent scientific identity and a strong foundation for their next career stage. Fellows will receive close mentorship in experimental design, quantitative and reproducible data analysis, manuscript development, scientific presentation, fellowship and grant writing, mentoring, and career planning. Fellows will have opportunities to lead multidisciplinary collaborations, mentor students, present work at national and international meetings, and develop competitive applications for NIH and foundation fellowships. The laboratory values scientific rigor, intellectual generosity, collegiality, and ambitious but thoughtful discovery-driven research.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/. For information on the lab please visit https://majorlab.wustl.edu/. Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.


• Prepares and submits papers on research.


• Assists in the design of research experiments.


• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.


• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.


• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.


• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.


• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.


• Collegial conduct towards co‑trainees, staff members and members of the research group.


• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations.


• All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Required Qualifications

Education: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable.

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants should hold, or expect to complete before the start date, a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in cancer biology, cell biology, biochemistry, chemical biology, proteomics, computational biology, bioinformatics, neuroscience, or a related discipline. We seek candidates who demonstrate scientific passion, scientific rigor, curiosity, initiative, strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to advance research projects through publication. Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred but not required:

• Cancer biology, cancer metabolism, neurodegeneration, or signal transduction.


• Analytical chemistry, protein biochemistry, ubiquitin biology, redox biology, or kinase biology.


• Mass spectrometry‑based proteomics, phosphoproteomics, ubiquitylation proteomics, or proximity labeling.


• CRISPR‑based perturbation, functional genomics, chemical screening, structural biology, or mouse models.


• R, Python, statistical analysis, bioinformatics, large‑scale data integration, or data visualization.


• Applicants with complementary experimental, computational, or hybrid quantitative/biological backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications Education: No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Preferred Qualifications Certifications/Professional Licenses: No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Preferred Qualifications Work Experience: No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Preferred Qualifications Skills: Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing. Questions For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request. All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre‑Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre‑employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full‑time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.

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