Postdoctoral Scholar

Department: MED-Biochem&Molecular Genetics

Salary/Grade: RES/

Job Summary

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is seeking a self-motivated and collaborative postdoctoral scientist to carry out transformative research the laboratory of Dr. Shannon Lauberth. You will join a team of researchers that is making advances in basic and translational studies in the cancer epigenetics field. The laboratory is located in the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center on Northwestern’s campus in downtown Chicago.

Current research in our lab focuses on investigating the protumor activities of the immune response that presents a hurdle in establishing effective immunotherapies. In this position, the individual will implement unbiased approaches (RNA-Seq, PRO-Seq, ChIP-Seq and CyTOF) to identify genetic and epigenetic alterations that shape the positive relationship between proinflammatory signaling and tumors with driver mutations in the tumor suppressor p53. Functional validation of these molecular and cellular changes in promoting oncogenic processes and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment will proceed using standard molecular biology techniques performed in vitro and in vivo using human cancer cell lines and patient-derived organoids (PDOs). The ideal applicant should have a doctoral degree (PhD or MD/PhD) and experience in cancer biology, TME, tumor immunology and cancer genetics/epigenetics is preferred. Preference will be given to candidates with first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Molecular Biology

• DNA, RNA, Protein isolation, purification and expression
• Western blotting
• PCR, RT-PCR
• Plasmid preparation
• Cloning, mapping and sequencing of DNA
• Recombinant virus production and purification
• Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
• In vitro binding assays (UV-RIP, EMSAs, etc).
• DNA and RNA library preparation for NGS data analysis
• Affinity chromatography
  
  

Cellular Biology

• Cell culture, cell isolation
• Functional studies
• Transfection
• Immunology
• Flow cytometry
  
  

Other Duties

• Lab Meetings and collaboration on project
• Writing papers and assisting in grant writing
• Research implementation and development
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or PhD
• Experience in cancer biology research
  
  

Minimum Competencies

• Ability to work with other and collaborate on projects
• Excellent writing skills, specifically aimed for grants and research paper publications
  
  

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.