Postdoctoral Training Opportunity - Brain Cancer Research
The Department of Neurological Surgery at Northwestern University is seeking outstanding postdoctoral trainees for expansion of their neuro-oncology laboratory, which conducts research in the areas of virotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cells, nanotechnology, and nanomedicine, with the ultimate aim of conducting translational studies in patients with malignant glioma. Although their main focus is the study of primary brain cancer, especially malignant glioma, they are also including work in the area of metastatic breast cancer to the brain; specifically, the department is interested in examining tumor suppressor genes in order to identify a subset of patients which are at an increased risk for development of brain metastasis.
This position offers an opportunity to work in the NIH-funded lab of Dr. Maciej Lesniak, a highly collaborative neurosurgeon-scientist with a background in basic and translational brain tumor research as well as the study of novel targeted therapies for human gliomas. Dr. Lesniak is the program leader in neuro-oncology at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and has been overall principal investigator or site principal investigator of over 25 multi-institutional clinical trials for recurrent and newly diagnosed malignant gliomas involving a variety of biological therapies. The lab has strong collaborations with expert groups across the globe in complementary fields including Dr. Karen Aboody (City of Hope) for neural stem cells, Drs. Valentyn Novosad and Elena Rozhkova (Argonne National Laboratory) for magnetic vortices as mediators of cellular mechanotransduction, Prof. Russell Cowburn (University of Cambridge) for nanoscale magnetism, and Dr. Yu Cheng (Tongji University) for nanotechnology. The department offers a nurturing environment for career development, a stimulating community of several brain tumor research labs, weekly conferences and seminars of interest.
The postdoctoral trainee will be expected to build a publication record, including submissions to leading cancer biology journals; supervise rotating undergraduate, graduate and medical students; apply for internal and/or extramural funding; and attend national meetings that will help to build an international reputation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in immunology, cancer biology, virology, nanotechnology or related field.
Required Competencies
- Experience working with small animal models and mammalian cell culture
- Ability to design and conduct experiments, maintain accurate GLP style recordkeeping, and collaborate effectively within a team environment
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to prepare and present research at meetings and write scientific manuscripts in fluent English
Preferred Competencies
- Expertise in epigenetics, ChIP
- Familiarity with next generation sequencing data and gene expression analysis
- CRISPR, gene silencing and over-expression techniques
- Cloning and rescue of retroviral and lentiviral vectors
Interested applicants must send a current curriculum vitae, a cover letter containing a short summary of research experience and aspirations, and names and contact information for at least three professional references to Dawn Rose (dawn.rose@nm.org). Applicant must be able to begin employment no later than October 1, 2021.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.