Job Description
The Comparative Oncology Program (COP) is seeking highly motivated and collaborative candidates with a background in bioinformatics and comparative cancer genomics. The successful candidate will support studies in osteosarcoma (OS) research initiated under the umbrella of the DOG2 project (Deciphering the Osteosarcoma Genome of the Dog). DOG2 is a multi-omic approach which leverages our high-quality clinically-annotated canine specimen bank collected during the last 4 years of clinical trial activities in dogs with OS. Taking advantage of these invaluable tissue resources, current projects include: 1) Genomic determinants of clinical outcome using whole-genome, whole-exome and mRNAseq datasets from > 400 dogs, with an emphasis on computational pipelines that provide mutational calling, gene fusion detection, and transcriptional profiling; 2) investigation of cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in osteosarcoma metastasis and in pulmonary fibrosis, and 3) an examination of the roles of the non-tumor tissue adjacent to osteosarcoma metastases. In addition, any identified druggable targets will be examined in preclinical (mouse) models to prioritize the best agents to carry forward into pet dog clinical trials, conducted through our extramural clinical trials consortium, the Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium (COTC). Comparative studies that translate findings from dogs to humans also provide opportunities to engage the pediatric OS community for collaborative studies based upon our findings.
Qualifications and Job Details
Required and Preferred Skills
The Comparative Oncology Program (COP) is seeking highly motivated and collaborative candidates with a background in cancer bioinformatics and comparative cancer genomics. Required skills include demonstrated expertise in processing and analysis of mRNA, whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing datasets from tumors, cell lines and normal tissues. Candidates should be fluent in common bioinformatic computational tools and pipelines, and have experience with primary and secondary analyses of genomic datasets.
Prior experience with canine cancer genomes is preferred, as well as a background in cancer biology.
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.