Postdoctoral Research Associate - Surgery

Washington University in St. Louis; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Cao Lab focusing on cancer epidemiology and multi-omics integration.

The successful candidate will explore factors shaping early-onset cancer risk using population data, with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and contribute to high-impact publications. The role emphasizes interdisciplinary training, data-driven discovery, and mentoring of graduate students and trainees, within a supportive

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent terminal doctoral degree required.
• No specific certification/professional license required.
• No specific work experience required.
• Skills: Not Applicable.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Education

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

Job description

Location

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/ .

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• 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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

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.

More About This Job

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

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
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.