Postdoctoral Fellow - Molecular Oncology

A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the department of Molecular Oncology under the mentorship of Liuqing Yang, PhD. The postdoctoral position will focus on understanding how metabolic stress and tumor-neural interactions contribute to disease progression. The research will integrate neuroscience, cancer biology, spatial transcriptomics, and cell-based functional studies to investigate mechanisms of neuronal injury and neural regulation of tumor behavior.

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

First, the fellow will characterize the effects of excessive phenylalanine on brain injury using mouse brain tissues for spatial transcriptomic analysis and neuronal cell models for mechanistic in vitro studies. Second, the fellow will investigate interactions between renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) tumor cells and neurons, including the potential role of tumor-associated nerve fibers and neuron-tumor crosstalk in RMC progression. The fellow will develop expertise in spatial transcriptomics, neuronal differentiation and culture, molecular and cellular assays, imaging, data analysis, and translational cancer research.

• Candidates should hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in neuroscience, neurobiology, cancer biology, molecular or cellular biology, or a related biomedical field.
• Prior experience with neuronal cell culture or differentiation, molecular and cellular biology techniques, and data analysis is preferred.
• Experience with spatial transcriptomics, single-cell technologies, cancer biology, or animal models is desirable.

• MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000 depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience.
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.

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.

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.

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