Postdoctoral Research Associate - Cell Biology

About the role

Location

Position Summary

The Major Laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine and the Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking creative and highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to uncover, dissect and therapeutically target signaling mechanisms in cancer.

We integrate quantitative proteomics, functional genomics, chemical biology, biochemical reconstitution, and disease-relevant models to define how dysregulated stress-response networks, kinases and ubiquitin ligases shape tumor behavior, tumor-stromal interaction and treatment response.

Current efforts focus on KEAP1/NRF2 signaling in cancer and neurodegeneration; understudied kinases, their networks and functions; one-carbon metabolism; proximity proteomics; chemical screens and therapeutic discovery, spatially aware clinical proteomics with laser-capture microdissection (LCM); and multiOMIC correlates from clinical trial samples.

Fellows will join a collaborative and growing team in newly renovated laboratory space designed to support cell biology, biochemistry, proteomics, computation and multiOMICs studies. They will have open access to and receive operational training on a newly acquired Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer, together with an expanding suite of capabilities in quantitative proteomics, PTM proteomics, proximity proteomics, LCM-MS and computational proteogenomics.

Projects are designed to progress from unbiased discovery to rigorous mechanistic validation and translational testing in organoids, mice and patient samples. Fellows will define their projects and project direction within the laboratory's broader areas of interest (e.g., KEAP1/NRF2, kinases, OMIC correlates with patient outcome/response, and others).

The Major Laboratory is committed to helping fellows build an independent scientific identity and a strong foundation for their next career stage. Fellows will receive close mentorship in experimental design, quantitative and reproducible data analysis, manuscript development, scientific presentation, fellowship and grant writing, mentoring, and career planning.

Fellows will have opportunities to lead multidisciplinary collaborations, mentor students, present work at national and international meetings, and develop competitive applications for NIH and foundation fellowships. The laboratory values scientific rigor, intellectual generosity, collegiality, and ambitious but thoughtful discovery-driven research.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St.

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications /Professional Licenses

• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicants should hold, or expect to complete before the start date, a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in cancer biology, cell biology, biochemistry, chemical biology, proteomics, computational biology, bioinformatics, neuroscience, or a related discipline. We seek candidates who demonstrate scientific passion, scientific rigor, curiosity, initiative, strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to advance research projects through publication. Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred but not required:
• Cancer biology, cancer metabolism, neurodegeneration, or signal transduction.
• Analytical chemistry, protein biochemistry, ubiquitin biology, redox biology, or kinase biology.
• Mass spectrometry-based proteomics, phosphoproteomics, ubiquitylation proteomics, or proximity labeling.
• CRISPR-based perturbation, functional genomics, chemical screening, structural biology, or mouse models.
• R, Python, statistical analysis, bioinformatics, large-scale data integration, or data visualization.
• Applicants with complementary experimental, computational, or hybrid quantitative/biological backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications /Professional Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills

Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours.