Postdoctoral Scholar: Translational Cancer Biomarkers and Molecular Assay Development

University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow to join Dr. Liying Zhang's research group.

The position focuses on translational cancer research, biomarker discovery, and development of clinically relevant molecular assays. The successful candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of basic scientists, clinicians, and data scientists to advance experimental studies,

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or MD/PhD in a relevant field.
• Experience with biomarker discovery and molecular assay development.
• Experience analyzing genomic datasets via bioinformatics.

Responsibilities

• Design, perform, and analyze experiments for biomarker discovery and assay development
• Collect, curate, and analyze genomic data with bioinformatics methods
• Present findings at lab meetings, seminars, and conferences
• Write and submit manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication
• Assist in preparation of grant applications (e.g., NIH, DoD, foundations)
• Mentor graduate students and research staff
• Collaborate with clinicians, pathologists, and bioinformaticians on translational projects

Skills

Biomarker discovery

Molecular assays

Bioinformatics

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D.

M.D.

M.D./Ph.D.

Tools

R

Python

Job description

We are looking for a motivated and skilled Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. to join Dr. Liying Zhang M.D., Ph.D.'s research group as a postdoctoral fellow within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.

About the Lab

Dr. Zhang’s Lab conducts innovative, highly collaborative translational research aimed at transforming cancer care. Our work focuses on discovering molecular biomarkers and developing clinically relevant molecular assays that improve patient outcomes, with particular emphasis on DNA damage response pathways and liquid biopsy.

Position Summary

We seek a motivated and skilled postdoctoral scholar to join our team and contribute to translational research projects spanning biomarker discovery, assay development, and clinical validation. The scholar will work closely with the PI and collaborators across basic, clinical, and computational disciplines, with opportunities to develop an independent research profile and build toward a career in academic science or medicine.

Responsibilities

• Design, perform, and analyze experiments for biomarker discovery and molecular assay development
• Collect, curate, and analyze data, including bioinformatic analysis of genomic datasets
• Present findings at lab meetings, institutional seminars, and national conferences
• Write and submit manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication
• Contribute to the preparation of grant applications (e.g., NIH, DoD, foundation, and fellowship awards)
• Mentor graduate students, research staff, and other trainees in collaboration with the PI
• Collaborate with clinicians, pathologists, and bioinformaticians on translational projects