Open Trainee Positions

Req #: 600658-0001
Job Title:  Postdoctoral Fellow       
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A joint postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology (GIMO) and Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform to conduct research in cancer biology of intestinal adenocarcinomas. This position is responsible for characterizing the preclinical biology of minimal residual disease (MRD) in colorectal cancer. Projects will include the development use and characterization of minimal residual disease mouse models that represent micrometastases, their evolution, and drug resistance. Clonal evolution and immune infiltration will be examined using CRISPR barcoding approaches, single cell RNAseq, FACS and multiplex immunofluorescence. These studies include modeling and connections to clinical efforts involving MRD identified by circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).

Learning Objectives:
Learning objectives are to better understand colorectal cancer tumor heterogeneity and evolution in response to therapy. Plan and perform research project using molecular biology techniques, such as cloning, transfection, site-directed mutagenesis assay, allelic expression assay, CRISPR driven cell barcoding, flow cytometry single cell RNAseq and ctDNA analysis. Generate or learn to generate animal transgene expression and targeting constructs, including those using Cre/lox and CRISPR technologies Evaluate targeted drugs key molecular targets in minimal residual disease as part of a drug development program. Examine the molecular and cellular evolution in colorectal cancer development by single cell RNAseq.

Eligibility Requirements:
M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree in the following areas: Biochemistry, Cellular and/or Molecular Biology.

Mentor Matching:
This position interfaces between Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., and David Menter, Ph.D., in GIMO and Timothy Heffernan, Ph.D., in TRACTION to identify and characterize minimal residual disease biology along with subtype specific targets and agents.

Postdoctoral Fellow Definition:
An individual holding a recent Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate who is seeking a temporary appointment, under the supervision of a faculty mentor, involving full-time laboratory-based research or scholarship in preparation for an academic or research career as an independent investigator.  This appointment is not part of a clinical training program; individuals holding an M.D. degree or equivalent are not permitted to engage in patient care activity. Appointees must have recently (within three years) received a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D., and DVM) in an appropriate field.

Postdoctoral Appointment Term Limits:
MD Anderson postdoctoral appointment policy limits an individual to no more than five years in the postdoctoral title at MD Anderson, or a total of six years in postdoctoral appointments at any combination of institutions.

Stipend Policy:
Stipend support will follow the NIH NRSA level for the appropriate PGY.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Req #: 600411-0001
Job Title:  Postdoctoral Fellow       
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Postdoctoral Fellow will be responsible for characterization of breast cancer stem cell subpopulation through combinatorial studies of metabolomics, gene expression, and protein expression. Identifying novel susceptible metabolic pathways in drug-resistant breast cancer cells and stem-like cells. Collaborating with related investigators in an interdisciplinary research project that involves basic cell culture, flow cytometry/sorting, metabolic assays, mass cytometry, DNA/RNA sequencing/analysis, and the use of immuno-deficient mouse models. Presenting relevant scientific findings at project meetings, National and international conferences, and via publication in top-tier scientific publications.

Learning Objectives:
The potential candidate is expected to quickly learn various tissue culture techniques, stem cell functional assays, metabolic assays that we routinely use in our laboratory. Also, we have several animal models including patient-derived xenografts that need to be maintained and used for translational research. A thorough understanding of cancer metabolism and the biology of mitochondria is appreciated.

Eligibility Requirements:
Ph.D. degree in a life science (cellular or molecular biology). Research experience and an excellent knowledge-base in biochemical, metabolic, and signaling process as they relate to cancer. Experience in breast cancer, molecular cloning, the quantitative measurement of RNA expression, flow cytometry, metabolomics, big data analysis, and/or the use of animal models would be a plus. The applicant should enjoy providing a training role for students and other coworkers, and should be open to scientific collaboration within a large research group. The candidate should possess excellent written and spoken (English) communication skills.

Dates of Training Schedule:
December 2019 through November 2020

Mentor Matching:
Lokesh Venkata Battula, Ph.D.
Michael Andreeff, MD, Ph.D.
Naoto T. Ueno, M.D.

Additional Application Information:
Please submit curriculum vitae to Dr. Venkata Lokesh Battula at Vistula@mdanderson.org.

Postdoctoral Fellow Definition:
An individual holding a recent Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate who is seeking a temporary appointment, under the supervision of a faculty mentor, involving full-time laboratory-based research or scholarship in preparation for an academic or research career as an independent investigator.  This appointment is not part of a clinical training program; individuals holding an M.D. degree or equivalent are not permitted to engage in patient care activity. Appointees must have recently (within three years) received a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D., and DVM) in an appropriate field.

Postdoctoral Appointment Term Limits:
MD Anderson postdoctoral appointment policy limits an individual to no more than five years in the postdoctoral title at MD Anderson, or a total of six years in postdoctoral appointments at any combination of institutions.

Stipend Policy:
Stipend support will follow the NIH NRSA level for the appropriate PGY.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Req #: 127800-0002
Job Title:  Postdoctoral Fellow       
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Postdoctoral positions are immediately available in Dr. Laura Beretta's Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology.  Since 1980, the incidence of liver cancer has tripled worldwide and is on the rise in the United States. The overall survival rate of liver cancer is poor as most patients are diagnosed late and limited therapeutic options are available. A successful candidate will be part of a major translational research effort integrating a diverse array of molecular profiles from genomics to metabolomics to identify novel targets for therapy, prevention and diagnosis, and their validation through preclinical models of liver cancer and patient cohorts. 

Eligibility Requirements:
A highly-motivated individual with Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology, biochemistry or bioinformatics to work on projects related to liver cancer treatment, diagnosis or prevention. The candidate should have demonstrated competence and experience through publications in internationally recognized journals. Candidates must be enthusiastic, self- motivated, dedicated to science and problem solving, with organizational skills and effective at working independently and leading projects, while also collaborating and assisting the team in its collective research goals.

Mentor Matching:
This position interfaces between Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., and David Menter, Ph.D., in GIMO and Timothy Heffernan, Ph.D., in TRACTION to identify and characterize minimal residual disease biology along with subtype specific targets and agents.

Additional application information:
Technical expertise in standard basic molecular and cellular techniques including DNA and RNA analysis, cell culture, and ability to analyze large datasets. Experience with cancer mouse models or in liver biology is preferred. Preference will be given for the candidates with prior experience in the field of Hepatology. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Postdoctoral Fellow Definition:
An individual holding a recent Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate who is seeking a temporary appointment, under the supervision of a faculty mentor, involving full-time laboratory-based research or scholarship in preparation for an academic or research career as an independent investigator.  This appointment is not part of a clinical training program; individuals holding an M.D. degree or equivalent are not permitted to engage in patient care activity. Appointees must have recently (within three years) received a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D., and DVM) in an appropriate field.

Postdoctoral Appointment Term Limits:
MD Anderson postdoctoral appointment policy limits an individual to no more than five years in the postdoctoral title at MD Anderson, or a total of six years in postdoctoral appointments at any combination of institutions.

Stipend Policy:
Stipend support will follow the NIH NRSA level for the appropriate PGY.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.