Title: Postdoctoral fellow
Department: Surgery
School: School of Medicine
Location: Wolstein Research Building
Supervisor Name and Title: Jordan Winter, MD, Professor; Rui Wang, PhD, Assistant Professor
POSITION OBJECTIVE
We are highly translational laboratories study colorectal (CRC) and pancreatic (PC) cancers, with a focus in liver metastases and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Our laboratories have established strategies for isolating different human cell types from malignant and non-malignant surgical specimens. We use these primary cells, together with established cell lines, to understand how the tumor microenvironment promotes cancer cell survival pathways (growth, chemoresistance, metabolism ect.) with in vitro and in vivo models.
The candidate will lead on the projects to determine the effects of liver endothelial cells (EC), immune cells, and other TME cell types, on PC primary tumors and liver metastases. Lab work will involve tissue culture; patient tissue handling (cryo-preserving, isolating primary cells, developing organoids and PDXs); DNA, RNA, and protein-related assays; cell growth and death assays; animal work (xenograft tumor models, PDX, breeding). Additionally, studies will interface with experts in pathology, biostatistics, medicinal chemistry and other specialties. The candidate is expected to prepare manuscripts and contribute preliminary data, background and significance and experimental design for grant proposals. Under the guidance of the PIs, the candidate should be able to work independently, read and critically interpret the literature, assist with designing and planning of projects, oversee collaborations, supervise students, manage animal models, and to carry out research on the assigned project. The candidate is encouraged to apply for grants and present at local and national meetings. Importantly, the fellow must work well with others, and have a desire to help cancer patients as a principal motivation for their work.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Design, plan and carry out experiment under the guidance of the PI. Assist and oversight of staff, and graduate students ensure projects are being completed according to the research plan. Advise/Assist in developing techniques, project methods, or procedures.
- Perform/supervise tumor xenograft animal studies. Prefer to have experience with rodent husbandry including breeding, genotyping and maintain an accurate animal database. If has no experience, must be willing to learn to work with animals.
- Analyze and record results. Manuscript preparation.
- Present results in laboratory meetings and other scientific meetings.
- Plan and execute research in collaboration with other investigators on and off campus.
- Develop and adapt laboratory techniques.
- Analyze the data generated from these experiments and provide high level analysis to PI.
- Support writing grant applications, research protocols, publications
- Help the lab manager and the technician with general lab operations including inventory, lab organization and maintain certain equipment/facilities. Must demonstrate compliance with policies, procedures and regulations of the Animal Resource Center, IACUC, Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines for which essential training will be provided.
- Assist with management of daily laboratory operations and training of new students and staff.
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Assist to manage lab wastes, organize lab inventory and take care of lab safety.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
CONTACTS
PI: Continuous contact with Principal Investigators for mentorship and study designs
Lab colleagues: Continuous contact with lab members. Lab members are encouraged to help, and to ask for help.
Department: Moderate administrative staff contact to obtain administrative support for research activities.
University: Routine contact with Environmental Health and Safety, as well as Animal Research in order to meet regulatory requirements.
External: Regular contact with Collaborators to further our and their research objectives.
Students: Regular contact with graduate and undergraduate students as part of the teaching mission.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Supervisory responsibilities principally will include mentorship of students in the lab.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Graduate degree, in one of the fields related to biomedical and/or translational research, as preparation for a post-doctoral fellowship in cancer research.
Education/Licensing: PhD, MD, or equivalent.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Ability to work well with others and to work independently. The individual should be able to follow directions and protocols.
- Ability to collect and analyze data with attention to detail and do multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Effective oral and written communication skills. Must be able to effectively communicate with the PI/supervisor as well as other lab members.
- Good interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals within and external to the University.
- Good organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy and follow-through on assigned tasks.
- Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
- Good problem-solving skills; must demonstrate good analytical skills, sound judgment and good decision-making.
- Ability to rely on and follow instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
- Ability to operate laboratory equipment and learn to operate new instruments
- Familiarity with policies and procedures of lab and chemical safety
- Knowledge in Microsoft Office, database applications, and with internet navigation.
- Willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and software programs as needed.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The researcher will work at the bench performing experiments that requires standing and sitting. Will perform some experiments in the animal room, standing in the laminar flow hood. Involves walking between different buildings in the University. Will involve travel to meetings or conferences if secured travel funding. Must be willing to adjust working hours according to the nature of ongoing experiments.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For all applications, please directly contact the PIs at RXW517@case.edu and jordan.winter@uhhospitals.org, and send a copy of the updated CV.