Job Listings

Post Doctoral Fellow - Pathology

Department:
SOM KC Pathology and Lab Medicine
*
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Position Title:
Post Doctoral Fellow - Pathology

Job Family Group:
Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:
Postdoctoral scholars at the University of Kansas Medical Center are individuals who have received their terminal degree and who have opted to pursue further training in a postdoctoral appointment. Postdoctoral scholarship is a time-limited appointment, the primary purpose of which is to provide research and/or scholarly training for an academic or research career. A postdoctoral scholar at KUMC is expected to: Participate in a full-time regimen of advanced training and research, train under the supervision of a faculty research mentor who will provide the opportunity for collaborative and independent research, as well promote publication of findings and preparation of research grants as determined by a mutual agreement between the postdoctoral scholar and the mentor, participate in relevant academic activities related to the preparation for a career in research or academia, participate in the University's Individual Development Plan policy for postdoctoral scholars, have a PhD or equivalent terminal degree (such as MD, DVM, PsyD, PharmD, etc.), and candidates should have strong English skills and demonstrate an ability to write and communicate with a scientific audience. Candidates must be able to independently plan, multi-task and complete projects. Ideally, the fellow will be expected to design and execute experiments, analyze data, write and prepare independent grant applications and manuscripts for scientific publications, and supervise graduate students.

Job Description:

Job Duties Outlined:

Research Overview:

• Develop and validate an sEV-based detection system for ovarian cancer early detection and disease monitoring. Develop a novel sensitive immunoassay for validating rare EV biomarkers in blood/clinical samples, including immuno-PCR, bead-based EV flow, and imaging-based single EV analysis.
• Physical, biochemical, and molecular characterization of sEVs. Develop and optimize efficient and reproducible EV isolation protocol based on downstream applications.
• Outline LC-MS/MS based proteomic experiments for discovery proteomics using clinical samples.
• Establish the proteome of tumor-associated sEVs. Specifically identify unique proteins or distinct pattern of proteins present in sEVs derived from fallopian tube and HGSOC cell lines and tissue explants by mass spectrometry/proteomics; verify the resulting candidate biomarkers by high-throughput capillary-based immunoassays; and isolate sEVs and analyze by immunoassays and immunoprecipitation to prioritize candidate exo-proteins for the ovarian cancer "fingerprint" that can differentiate HGSOC from controls and other ovarian cancer patients.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, both inside and outside the institution, related to proteomics, statistics, bioinformatics, bioengineering, and chemistry disciplines.
• Establish transcriptome of tumor-associated sEVs. Define EV-associated miRNA signatures that have the greatest stability and reproducibility as analytes to differentiate early-stage ovarian cancer cases from benign disease and healthy controls.
• Work with clinical samples including serum, plasma, patient-derived tissue, ascites for EV-based biomarker discovery
• Mammalian cell culture for isolation of sEVs. Cell engineering to express new functionality or silence genes of interest for EV-based biomarker discovery and validation.

Expectations:

• Perform research techniques in a laboratory setting, conduct independent research.
• Work closely with the PI and laboratory members on research projects and in the preparation of data and writing for grants. Seek and apply for internal and external grants.
• Independently write manuscripts for academic publication. Present data to various groups and scientific conferences.
• Work as a team with other lab members. Help to lead multi-institutional collaborative projects with multiple PIs. Communicate effectively to execute various projects in a timely manner.
• Assist with overall maintenance of the lab.
• Mentor and direct the work of junior scientists, graduate students, and summer students.
• Other duties as assigned by the lab PI.

Compliance: Maintain compliance on all orientation and training sessions designated by the University and the Department, understand and follow IACUC and biosafety protocols, and attend seminars of interest, lab meetings, and other meetings associated with ongoing projects.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications:

Education: PhD biochemistry, molecular biology, or related biological sciences degree

Work Experience: Demonstrated ability to work in cancer research (focus will be on epithelial ovarian cancer and potentially gastrointestinal stromal tumor), extracellular vesicles (focused on small EVs) and technical expertise in proteomics and transcriptomics will be a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: PhD in biological sciences or MD with extensive research experience.

Work Experience:

• Expertise in tumor biology and/or molecular cancer genetics and with prior experience in molecular biology techniques, including EV purification and characterization, fluorescent/confocal microscopy (ICC and IHC), EVs labeling and tracking, flow cytometry, protein analysis (Western blot, ELISA and IP), cell culture work, immuno-assays, NGS, pRT-PCR, DLS, NTA, Affy microarrays, NanoString ncounter profiling, etc.
• Experience with the initiation and/or participation in successful collaborative research projects.
• Demonstrated experience writing peer-reviewed publications.

Skills:

• Communication skills for manuscript and grant writing, oral presentation skills in both technical and lay forums.
• Collaborative and management skills.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type:
Regular

Time Type:
Full time

Rate Type:
Salary

Compensation Statement:

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above.

Pay Range:
$58,656.00 - $80,000.00
Minimum
$58,656.00
Midpoint
$69,328.00
Maximum
$80,000.00

Application Instructions:
To learn more and apply online, please visit https://kumc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/kumc-jobs/job/Kansas-City-Metro-Area/Post-Doctoral-Fellow_JR008225 or go to https://careers.kumc.edu/ and search for position number JR008225.

Applications must be submitted directly through the KU Medical Center website to be considered for this position. Any applications submitted via email or this website will NOT be reviewed or considered.

About KU Medical Center:
The University of Kansas Medical Centers mission is to educate exceptional health care professionals through a full range of undergraduate, graduate, professional, postdoctoral and continuing education programs in the schools of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions. KU Medical Center also advances the health sciences through world-class research programs; provides compassionate and state-of-the-art patient care in an academic medical center environment; and works with communities in every Kansas county to improve the health of Kansans. Learn more at www.kumc.edu.

Benefits:
KUMC offers a range of great benefits that support employees and eligible family members. Our health insurance benefits begin on hire date and KUMC offers other exciting benefits such as paid parental leave, generous employer retirement contributions and other resources to improve health and well-being. For more information, please visit https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Kansas Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, protected veteran or disability status, marital status, parental status, or genetic information. http://policy.ku.edu/IOA/nondiscrimination

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