Assistant Research Professor - Precision Oncology of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Join the forefront of groundbreaking research at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, where we’re changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life‑threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are driven by a common mission: to contribute to innovative approaches in predicting, preventing, and curing diseases, shaping the future of medicine through cutting‑edge research.

Led by Dr. Ajay Goel, Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics, our multidisciplinary research group comprises basic researchers, gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists, and bioinformaticians, undertaking several collaborative projects involving large international consortia. This position has the potential to become tenure‑track upon the receipt of grant funding lasting 3‑5 years from a federal agency.

Our research focuses on translational studies of the genomic and epigenomic characterization of various gastrointestinal cancers (GI), including colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, esophageal, and hepatocellular cancers. Our group performs cutting‑edge research in GI oncology, is very productive, and publishes in high‑impact journals such as Nature Cancer, Nature Communications, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New England Journal of Medicine, CA: A Journal for Clinicians, Gastroenterology, Cancer Cell, PNAS, JAMA Oncology, JNCI, Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, Annals of Surgery, etc.

For more information on Dr. Goel’s research, please visit here.

• Development of cell‑free DNA (mutation and methylation), RNA, and exosomal‑based liquid assays for early cancer detection, prognosis, and predictive responses to chemo therapies and targeted drugs.
• Studying the genetic and epigenetic basis of GI cancers (e.g., aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non‑coding RNAs).
• Understanding the biological implications of gut microbiome and its translational application in gastrointestinal cancers.
• The genetic basis of early‑onset colorectal cancer (EO‑CRC) and familial/hereditary colorectal cancer.
• The role of extracellular vesicles/exosomes in cancer pathogenesis and their role as disease biomarkers.
• The role of the tumor microenvironment, stem cells, immune regulation, and identification of novel targeted therapies.
• Cancer prevention and adjunctive role of natural and integrative therapy approaches.

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD, with a strong background and profound knowledge in the field of oncology, cancer biology, immunology, or immunotherapy.
• Prior molecular, cancer biology, and/or translational research experience and evidence of project development and supervision of post‑doctoral fellows and technical staff.
• Evidence of scientific rigor and excellence as documented by high‑impact peer‑reviewed publications, as a first/lead author.
• Evidence for obtaining successful funding from various foundations or other extramural resources.
• Documented evidence of mentoring post‑docs, research associates, and others in a research laboratory environment.

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

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