Senior Scientist & Associate Director, Functional Oncology

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is seeking a Senior Scientist/Associate Director to lead operations of the Center for Patient-Derived Models (CPDM) in Boston. The role focuses on managing patient-derived models, validating assays, and driving translational research with multi-omics integration.

The candidate will oversee model repositories, coordinate collaborations, and contribute to grant writing and publications in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Cancer Biology or closely related field.
• 5+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience in patient-derived models (PDOs/PDXs/organoids) or functional precision medicine assays.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing large model repositories, validations, and multi-omics workflows.
• Strong publication record in translational oncology or related fields.
• Technical skills in 3D cell culture, organoid techniques, PDX, high-throughput drug screening, molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, multiplex imaging, and bioinformatics.
• Leadership experience in a core facility, center, or translational research environment.

Responsibilities

• Model Management & Operations: Oversee the establishment, maintenance, expansion, and quality control of a large repository of patient-derived models.
• Translational Research & Biomarker Development: Design and execute studies using patient-derived models to support biomarker discovery and drug sensitivity testing; integrate multi-omics data with functional assays.
• Leadership & Team Management: Co-direct daily operations of the CPDM, mentor junior scientists and research associates, and foster collaboration.
• Collaborations & Project Oversight: Serve as scientific liaison for internal and external partners; manage IND-enabling studies and assay validation.
• Data Analysis & Innovation: Develop bioinformatics tools and AI/ML approaches to analyze datasets and advance platforms.
• Grant & Publication Support: Contribute to grant writing, progress reports, and publications.
• Compliance & Best Practices: Ensure adherence to regulatory, ethical, and institutional guidelines.

Skills

3D cell culture

organoid techniques

PDX models

high-throughput screening

molecular biology

immunohistochemistry

flow cytometry

multiplex imaging

bioinformatics

R/Linux

scRNA-seq analysis

Education

PhD in Cancer Biology

Tools

R

Linux

scRNA-seq analysis

Job description

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is seeking a Senior Scientist/Associate Director to lead operations of the Center for Patient-Derived Models (CPDM) in Boston. The role focuses on managing patient-derived models, validating assays, and driving translational research with multi-omics integration.

The candidate will oversee model repositories, coordinate collaborations, and contribute to grant writing and publications in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment.