Job Description
Come join our friendly, collaborative group and help us improve treatments for patients with endocrine cancers!
A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available immediately in the Surgical Oncology Program, CCR, NCI. Our group, the Targeted Therapy in Endocrine Cancers Section, is seeking a motivated postdoctoral fellow interested in working at the interface of the molecular pathophysiology of cancer progression and therapy of rare human endocrine cancers using multimodal therapies such as small molecule inhibitors and radiotherapy. Our laboratory program is dedicated to studying and identifying novel targeted therapeutics in endocrine cancers and novel cancer drug delivery methods by targeting the tumor microenvironment.
Applicants will gain complete experience in preclinical translational research studies from creating hypotheses and research questions, designing and performing experiments, data interpretation, troubleshooting, research presentation, and manuscript preparation. patient-derived organoid culture techniques, animal models, cancer genomics, and preclinical drug development. Our lab focuses on rare endocrine cancers without effective treatments such as adrenocortical cancer and iodine-refractory thyroid cancers. Our goals are to: 1) identify novel synergistic treatments that target adrenocortical cancer vulnerabilities, and 2) improve drug delivery efficiency to iodine-refractory thyroid cancer by manipulating the tumor microenvironment. We approach these problems using integrative bioinformatic analyses, quantitative high-throughput drug screening, various high-throughput molecular profiling and CRISPR screens, and other standard in vitro and in vivo experiments. The postdoctoral fellow will meet with the principal investigator and a staff scientist at least weekly to plan, discuss and troubleshoot the projects. We have a weekly research meeting and a scheduled monthly journal club. To promote the importance of translational research, all trainees will have an optional opportunity to meet our patients in clinic to reinforce the importance of translational research to identify novel and effective treatments in patients with these refractory endocrine cancers.
Endocrine oncology at NIH encompasses unique patient cohorts of rare endocrine cancers, and our multi-disciplinary program has the capacity to translate preclinical findings into clinical trials, with the purpose of improving patient outcomes.
Training opportunities are augmented by collaborations with colleagues and physicians from the intramural and extramural communities. Fellows are encouraged to take advantage of formal, focused courses (e.g., training in bioinformatics and translational research) and actively engage and participate in a variety of activities such as journal clubs within the Surgical Oncology Program.
Qualifications and Job Details
Required and Preferred Skills
Candidates must have a M.D. that includes training in molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics or biochemistry with laboratory experience and excellent written and oral communication skills. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in genetics/genomics, bioinformatic analysis, tissue culture, and molecular biological techniques (e.g., cloning, knockouts, protein expression/purification).
Good communication, organizational, and time management skills are preferred, with an ability to work independently as well as collaborate as a valued team member.
About the NCI Center for Cancer Research
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) is home to nearly 250 basic and clinical research groups located on two campuses just outside of Washington, D.C. CCR is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and makes up the largest component of the research effort at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Centrally supported by long-term funding and a culture of complete intellectual freedom, CCR scientists are able to pursue the most important and challenging problems in cancer research. We collaborate with academic and commercial partners and advocacy groups across the world in efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and HIV/AIDS. The CCR research portfolio covers the full spectrum of biological and biomedical research. Our work ranges from basic to translational and clinical, and our clinical trials are conducted in the NIH Clinical Center, the world’s largest hospital dedicated to clinical research that offers a robust infrastructure to support CCR’s patients on an estimated 250 open studies. The success of CCR is grounded in an exceptionally strong discovery research program that provides the foundation for the seamless translation of insights from bench to bedside. Read more about CCR, the benefits of working at CCR and hear from our staff on their CCR experiences.
Bethesda
Bethesda is one of the most highly educated communities in the United States and has a nationally renowned school system. The city is a thriving suburban center close to Washington, D.C., and home to many restaurants, retailers and a flourishing arts and entertainment district.
Please send your personal statement, CV/Resume, statement of research goals, and 3 letters of reference to Ms. Jennifer Corral at jennifer.corral@nih.gov and naris.nilubol@nih.gov.