Postdoctoral Research Associate - Surgery

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Cao Lab in Saint Louis, MO. The role focuses on identifying factors shaping cancer risk across life stages using population data, multi-omics, and AI. You will collaborate across disciplines and lead analyses, manuscripts, and grant activities.

The candidate will develop studies from hypothesis through execution, mentor trainees, and ensure rigor and ethics in all research activities in a dynamic lab environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal degree.
• Experience integrating population data with multi-omics and AI is desirable.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate across disciplines and sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead interdisciplinary research integrating large-scale population and clinical data with multi-omics, biology, and AI to investigate early-onset cancers.
• Develop and execute studies from literature review through design, analysis and dissemination.
• Apply rigorous methods to complex data using R, Python, SAS with documented workflows.
• Collaborate with cohort leaders, clinicians, biostatisticians, bioinformaticians, and data scientists across sites.
• Coordinate activities across projects including data acquisition, harmonization, analysis, and communication.
• Lead and contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications; present findings at meetings.
• Mentor graduate students and research assistants; ensure adherence to research ethics and good laboratory practice.

Skills

Molecular epidemiology

Data science

Informatics

Cancer biology

Environmental sciences

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D., M.D. or Equivalent Terminal

Tools

R

Python

SAS

Job description

Position Summary

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110

Position Summary

The Cao Lab aims to better understand why certain cancers are increasing among younger adults by identifying the external and internal factors that shape cancer risk and investigating how these factors converge across life stages to influence cancer development and progression. By integrating population science, mechanistic biology, and implementation science, and leveraging computational innovation, the lab examines these relationships across exposures, tissue types, life stages, and populations to identify opportunities for prevention and early intervention. We are looking for passionate, curious, and collaborative rising leaders with training in molecular epidemiology, data science and informatics, cancer biology, or environmental sciences, who are excited to work across disciplines and help advance this emerging field.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

For further details please visit https://caolab.wustl.edu/.

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

• Lead interdisciplinary research integrating large-scale population and clinical data with multi-omics, biology, and AI to investigate the causes and biomarkers of early-onset cancers and identify opportunities for precision prevention.
• Develop and execute studies from literature review and hypothesis formulation through study design, protocol development, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination.
• Apply rigorous and reproducible methods to complex population, clinical, and molecular data using R, Python, SAS, or related tools, with well-documented code and analytic workflows.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with cohort leaders, data providers, clinicians, biostatisticians, bioinformaticians, data scientists, and basic scientists on multisite and multidisciplinary projects.
• Coordinate scientific activities across projects, including data acquisition, harmonization, analysis, and communication among internal and external collaborators.
• Lead and contribute to original and review manuscripts, scientific presentations, and grant applications, and present findings at internal meetings and scientific conferences.
• Mentor graduate students, research assistants, and other trainees.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities in terms of protocols, reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
• Maintain conformity with ethical standards in research and continuous knowledge development in Responsible Conduct of Research.
• Maintain compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engage 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 mentors, 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. Additional caution in handling data from external collaborators ensuring data safety and security measures.

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.

Education

Required Qualifications: 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.

More About This Job

At Washington University, postdoctoral appointments

• Have a 5-year term limit that includes previous experience.

Education

Preferred Qualifications

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications/Professional Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

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, 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.