Postdoctoral Fellow - GI Med Oncology - Research

The main goal is to provide our Postdoctoral Fellows with an intellectually stimulating, collaborative, and supportive research environment. Our multi‑omics platform (Spatial Transcriptomics, scRNA‑seq, bulk RNA‑seq, and proteomic dataset) from gastric cancer patients and gastric cancer GEMM model allow for the investigation of tumor microenvironment, immune response, molecular mechanisms, oncogenic signaling pathways, tumor heterogeneity, and drug responses. We aim to train our fellows in multi‑omics and high‑throughput genetic screening approaches to further advance peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

The primary purpose of the Post Doctoral Fellowship is to plan, direct, organize, and participate in scientific research projects in cancer biology of gastro‑esophageal cancers.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs and participates as a team member in research projects involving detection and elimination of gastro‑esophageal cancers.
• Applies technical expertise to design, supervise, and carry out research experiments, for desirable results.
• Processes clinical samples such as human blood, tissue, ascites and employs good cryopreservation techniques for future research.
• Reports status of team data collection for specific disease categories and multiple patients via regular progress reports directly to the supervising principal investigator and assigned senior personnel.
• Has or acquires the skills needed to accomplish assigned research goals, including extensive techniques in molecular biology (RNA analysis and manipulation, RNA and reagent design, DNA cloning, quantitative RT‑PCR, etc.), virology (virus infection, cell cultures, use of bacterial genetics and recombination, etc.), biochemistry (production, purification and characterization of DNA, RNA, proteins or other biomolecules, flow cytometry, and immunology), and performs mouse handling such as tumor injection from clinical specimen, drug treatment and data analysis.
• Performs basic histologic techniques on formalin‑fixed tumor specimens, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry.
• Reviews, evaluates and correlates research data; prepares drafts of protocols, research grants, manuscripts and grant reports; writes and prepares publications and reviews analyses and interpretations of data.
• Ensures that relevant data is collected at designed stages in the research process, entered into database(s), and reported, as required, to the Institutional Research Board (IRB) and appropriate national registries.

All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

• Ability to search and evaluate clinical and scientific literature.
• Ability to form and then defend hypotheses based on prior clinical or experimental data.
• Ability to effectively communicate findings in written and oral form.
• Ability to write persuasive grant applications.
• Ability to navigate scientific publication process.

As part of their training, our Postdoctoral Fellows will work closely with the PI to gain experience in grant and manuscript writing, as well as manuscript review for journals. They will equip them with the skills required for successful grant applications and the publication of their research. Additionally, our Postdoctoral Fellows will be expected to present their work at group meetings.

They are encouraged to present their research at international conferences to expand their network and find potential collaborations and future employment opportunities.

We also encourage our Postdoctoral Fellows to engage in numerous collaborative projects, as scientific research is typically carried out in teams of investigators with…