Postdoctoral Research Associate - Oncology

#
** Position Summary
** A Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available in Dr. Grant Challen’s laboratory in the Division of Oncology at WashU.
The Challen lab investigates the epigenetic regulation of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. The successful applicant will be responsible for characterizing the roles of various epigenetic modifications in stem cell differentiation and blood cancer transformation. The project involves understanding the mechanisms by which certain mutations provide stem cells with growth advantages to establish clonal hematopoiesis, and how clonal competition and external stressors drive clonal hematopoiesis towards blood cancer.

Our ultimate goal is to identify new points of intervention for therapeutic targeting high-risk clones as a means of blood cancer prevention.
Our lab uses a variety of cutting edge next-generation sequencing technologies and single cell approaches coupled with traditional cell culture, molecular biology and mouse model genetics. The lab is funded by multiple NIH and Foundation awards. The Siteman Cancer Center provides us access to a variety of specialized research cores to facilitate our projects. Motivated candidates with a PhD or MD with a strong background in molecular and cellular biology, cancer research and epigenetics are encouraged to apply.

Experience with mouse models, flow cytometry, chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA methylation analysis is a bonus.#
** Job Description
**** Primary

Duties & Responsibilities:

** For information on the lab please visit  under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):
* Manages their own project, which should lead to a first author publication.
* Develops proficiency in career skills, including writing, public speaking, networking, and critical evaluation of scientific literature.
* Presents scientific work both inside and outside the University with excellent oral communication skills.
* Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
* Prepares and submits papers on research.
* Assists in the design of research experiments.
* Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
* Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
* Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
* Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
* Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
* Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
* Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.  Individuals who join this lab as a postdoctoral appointee will gain advanced research skills in addition to the following training opportunities:
* Research Design:  Weekly individual meetings with PI to discuss results and plan next experimental steps. Data review at weekly lab meetings.
* Scientific Communication:  In addition to weekly lab meetings, the Hematopoietic Development and Malignancy Program (HDMP) of the Siteman Cancer Center holds a weekly journal club which our trainees attend to keep abreast of cutting edge research papers. There are numerous seminars every week run by other departments at Washington University School of Medicine.
* Scientific Writing / Critical Evaluation:  We encourage trainees to apply for independent fellowships, to write their own manuscripts, and to take speaking…