Postdoctoral Fellow - In Vivo Pharmacology and Translational Oncology

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department:
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow
- In Vivo Pharmacology and Translational Oncology

Position # - Requisition #41112

A full-time Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in the laboratory of Professor Dan LaBarbera, PhD, within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with strong expertise in in vivo pharmacology, preclinical oncology, and mouse therapeutic efficacy studies to contribute to a federally funded translational research program focused on the preclinical development of novel small-molecule therapeutics for colorectal cancer.

The research is conducted in collaboration with Onconaut Therapeutics Inc. and provides an opportunity to work at the interface of academic drug discovery, biotechnology, and translational oncology. The successful candidate will have substantial hands‑on experience designing and executing mouse efficacy studies, including cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient‑derived xenograft (PDX) models. The position requires proficiency in mouse handling and welfare and in repeated drug administration by oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, and intravenous tail‑vein injection.

Experience with orthotopic colorectal cancer models is highly desirable.

• Design, plan, and execute in vivo pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy studies in mouse models of colorectal cancer.
• Establish and conduct cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient‑derived xenograft (PDX) studies, including tumor implantation, growth monitoring, randomization, treatment, and study endpoints.
• Administer investigational therapeutics using multiple routes, including oral gavage (PO), intraperitoneal injection (IP), and intravenous tail‑vein injection (IV), including repeated‑dose treatment regimens.
• Perform routine mouse handling and health monitoring in both male and female mice, including restraint, body-weight and condition assessment, precise tumor measurements, and implementation of appropriate humane endpoints.
• Collect blood, tumors, and other tissues; perform or coordinate necropsy and tissue processing; and support downstream histologic, molecular, and pharmacodynamic/target‑engagement analyses.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintain accurate study records, and prepare figures, presentations, reports, manuscripts, and other scientific materials.
• Collaborate with academic and industry investigators to develop experimental protocols, interpret results, troubleshoot studies, and advance preclinical therapeutic development.

Onsite
- This role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, Colorado, at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Because animal pharmacology studies require treatment and monitoring according to experimental schedules, occasional work outside standard business hours, including evenings or weekends, may be required.

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus provides an outstanding environment for translational biomedical research, with extensive expertise and infrastructure in drug discovery, cancer biology, pharmacology, animal models, imaging, and therapeutic development. The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the CU Anschutz Center for Drug Discovery provide a multidisciplinary research environment spanning discovery through preclinical development.

This position offers a unique opportunity to participate directly in an industry-academic translational drug development program in collaboration with Onconaut Therapeutics Inc. The fellow will gain substantial experience in preclinical…