Assistant Research Professor - Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics

Overview

Assistant Research Professor - Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics
Monrovia, CA 91016

Our client is an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution with over 6,000 employees, dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, guided by a compassionate, patient-centered philosophy. It is a remarkable non-profit institution where compassion and advanced care go hand-in-hand with excellence in clinical and scientific research. As a designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, it develops and institutes standards of care for cancer treatment.

Position Summary

We are seeking a talented and motivated Assistant Research Professor to join a multidisciplinary research team. The research focuses on understanding the interplay between genetic and epigenetic alterations in colorectal, pancreatic, gastric and esophageal cancers. A primary translational research goal is to develop novel diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for various gastrointestinal cancers, as well as study immune regulation and identify novel therapeutic targets (e.g. targeted therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors) for various GI malignancies.

The multidisciplinary research group comprises basic biologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists and bioinformaticians undertaking collaborative projects involving large international consortia.

Responsibilities

• Exploration of cell-free DNA-based, liquid biopsy biomarkers for the early-detection of gastrointestinal cancers (including colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, liver and esophageal).
• Establish innovative methodologies involving non-coding RNAs-based biomarkers for the earlier diagnosis, prognosis and predictive responses to chemotherapy in gastrointestinal neoplasia.
• Study the role of aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs (miRNA, lncRNAs, snoRNAs, piRNAs etc.) in various GI malignancies.
• Understanding the genetic basis of early-onset and familial/hereditary colorectal cancers
• Molecular mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis, the role of stem cells in the context of chemo resistance and chemo-sensitization in cancer cells.
• The role of tumor microenvironment, immune regulation and identification of various targeted therapies (e.g. immune checkpoint inhibitors) in GI cancers.
• The role of exosomes as biological determinants, and exosomal cargo as disease biomarkers
• Gut microbiome and its influence in gastrointestinal cancers

Educational, Experience and Skills

Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

• Must have a Ph.D in related field
• Evidence of first author peer-reviewed publications
• Prior molecular, cancer biology and/or translational research experience and evidence of project development
• Relevant experience in cancer genetics and epigenetics
• Prior hands-on experience in developing cell-free DNA and RNA-based, liquid biopsy assays in cancers.
• Must have a background in biochemistry and/or molecular biology, as well as experience in identification and development of therapeutic targets in cancer.
• Desire to grow and develop skills to become an independent Investigator
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Able to supervise Postdoctoral Fellows and Research Associates as relevant for research activities
• Able to contribute new ideas, actively engage in scientific discussion, and provide expertise to inform discussion of new concepts

Preferred education, experience and skills:

• Experience with microarray and next generation sequencing-based platforms (MiSeq, HiSeq, Nova Seq, RRBS, ChIP-Seq, MeDip etc.).

Additional Information:

• Curriculum Vitae and coordinates of three scientific mentors
• A cover letter highlighting your research interests, a brief statement explaining how your past research ties in with the goals of our laboratory, and future career plans.
• Our client is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
• For consideration please forward resume/CV, publications listings, 3 references along with compensation requirements to Amanda Sonus at