Postdoctoral Scholar - Pediatric Oncology Translational Research Lab

The Pennsylvania State University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Pediatric Oncology Translational Research Lab (POTRL) at Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA. The role focuses on preclinical and translational pediatric cancer research, involving advanced methodologies and collaboration across clinical and translational teams.

Responsibilities include independent project design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Qualifications

• PhD required with 8+ years of research experience.
• Experience with in vitro (organoids) and in vivo (PDX) cancer models.
• Demonstrated capacity for grant applications and high-impact publications.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute independent experiments with minimal oversight.
• Develop testable hypotheses and translational strategies for pediatric oncology.
• Maintain rigorous records and data integrity across projects.
• Lead preparation of first-author manuscripts for high-impact journals.

Skills

Independent research

Organoid models

PDX models

Single-cell sequencing

Spatial transcriptomics

CRISPR screens

Grant writing

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Organoid culture

In vivo cancer models

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium at Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, in Hershey, PA, is seeking an innovative and highly driven Postdoctoral Scholar for the Pediatric Oncology Translational Research Lab (POTRL). This is a full-time on-site position. The Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium (BCC) is an international clinical research sponsor and acts as a Contract Research Organization (CRO) of a network of 50+ hospitals that participate in BCC's investigator-initiated clinical trials. The Pediatric Oncology Translational Research Lab is the preclinical research team of BCC. This advanced-level postdoctoral position aims at developing cutting-edge research on pediatric oncology with focus on pre-clinical and translational aspects of cancer.

Job Summary

• Independent research Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments with minimal faculty oversight, applying expert-level judgment to resolve technical challenges.
• Formulate original hypotheses grounded in the current pediatric oncology literature and develop testable experimental frameworks.
• Maintain rigorous, reproducible laboratory records and uphold data integrity standards across all projects.
• Manage personal project timelines and deliverables, proactively communicating progress and roadblocks to the lead researcher and PI.
• High-impact scholarship Generate publication-ready datasets and lead the writing, revision, and submission of first-author manuscripts to high-impact journals.
• Critically interpret complex, preclinical, or clinical translational datasets and communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Present research at national and international conferences; contribute to preparation of abstracts and poster materials.
• Serve as a peer reviewer for relevant scientific journals when invited.
• Technology development Identify, evaluate, and implement cutting-edge methodologies (e.g., single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, CRISPR screens, PDX/organoid models) relevant to pediatric cancer biology.
• Establish and validate new protocols, optimizing them for the lab's specific research questions and infrastructure.
• Document new methods thoroughly and train lab personnel on their implementation.
• Team collaboration Actively participate in lab meetings, journal clubs, and departmental seminars; contribute constructive scientific feedback to peers.
• Foster productive relationships with clinical collaborators, research technicians, bioinformaticians, biostatisticians, and translational teams within and outside the institution.
• Collaborate across multi-PI consortium projects, coordinating experimental contributions and adhering to shared timelines.
• Co-author multi-investigator publications and contribute equitably to collaborative grant applications.
• Mentorship & training Directly mentor rotation students and graduate students in experimental techniques, scientific reasoning, and professional conduct.
• Provide regular, constructive feedback on mentees' data, presentations, and written work.
• Assist in development of laboratory training materials, SOPs, and onboarding resources.
• Model a culture of rigor, intellectual curiosity, and psychological safety within the team.
• Lab stewardship & funding Ensure compliance with institutional biosafety, IACUC, and IRB protocols; complete all required training on time.
• Contribute substantially to the writing and revision of grant applications (R01, K99/R00, foundation awards) as a co-investigator or named personnel.
• Identify and independently apply for independent fellowships and career development awards to support the transition to faculty.
• This is a limited-term position funded for one year from date of hire, with possibility of refunding.

Clearances

• Criminal Background Check

Minimum Experience

• Minimum Experience: PhD 8+ years of research experience

Qualifications

• Relevant publications in the field
• Experience with in vitro (organoids), and in vivo (PDX) cancer models
• Demonstrated capacity for grant application

Preferred areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Pathology, Immunology

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Penn State is a equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive.

We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging.

We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s public service mission.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

Campus Security

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR).

The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.

The ASR is available for review here.

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