Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate

University of Pittsburgh • Pittsburgh, PA

5d

About The Position

The Nedrow and Sheikh laboratories at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to join a dynamic, fast‑paced translational oncology research environment at the University of Pittsburgh. The postdoctoral associate will work independently under the mentorship of Dr. Saad Sheikh, physician–scientist in the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Dr. Jessie Nedrow, research scientist in the Department of Radiology.
The selected Candidate will conduct preclinical and translational research focused on the development of radiopharmaceutical imaging agents and targeted radiotherapeutics for cancer, with an emphasis on pediatric brain tumors and pancreatic cancer. Experimental responsibilities will include cell culture, flow cytometry, CRISPR‑based gene editing, Western blotting, DNA/RNA extraction, and cell viability assays. In vivo studies will involve mouse handling and husbandry, orthotopic tumor implantation, delivery of external beam radiation and radiopharmaceutical therapies, longitudinal tumor monitoring using multimodal imaging, tissue harvesting, and coordination with the Small Animal Multimodal Imaging and Radiopharmaceutical Applications Core at the Hillman Cancer Center. Additional technical experience may include conjugation chemistry, radiochemistry, and molecular biology techniques related to antibody‑ or fragment‑based PET imaging agents and radiotherapeutics.
The postdoctoral associate will lead independent research projects and, under the guidance of Drs. Sheikh and Nedrow, will be responsible for experimental planning, data analysis and interpretation, and preparation of datasets, figures, and reports using appropriate software tools. Additional duties include preparing regular progress reports, conducting literature reviews, summarizing findings, and developing high‑quality figures, tables, and graphs for dissemination. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, as the Candidate will be expected to draft manuscripts, contribute to grant proposals, and present research findings at scientific conferences. The postdoctoral associate will be encouraged to develop and pursue independent research ideas. This position offers a rigorous and collaborative training environment with strong mentorship and opportunities for professional development in translational cancer research and radiopharmaceutical development.

Requirements

• PhD in biological chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biology, medicinal chemistry, neuroscience, organic chemistry, or a related field.
• Comfortable working with radiation and animals, training will be provided.
• Ability to accommodate flexible work schedule given nature of experimental work.
• Good verbal and written communication are needed given collaborations with other labs and expected independence.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability in science with evidence of abstracts, posters, presentations, and papers is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preclinical and translational research focused on the development of radiopharmaceutical imaging agents and targeted radiotherapeutics for cancer, with an emphasis on pediatric brain tumors and pancreatic cancer.
• Cell culture, flow cytometry, CRISPR‑based gene editing, Western blotting, DNA/RNA extraction, and cell viability assays.
• In vivo studies will involve mouse handling and husbandry, orthotopic tumor implantation, delivery of external beam radiation and radiopharmaceutical therapies, longitudinal tumor monitoring using multimodal imaging, tissue harvesting, and coordination with the Small Animal Multimodal Imaging and Radiopharmaceutical Applications Core at the Hillman Cancer Center.
• Lead independent research projects and, under the guidance of Drs. Sheikh and Nedrow, will be responsible for experimental planning, data analysis and interpretation, and preparation of datasets, figures, and reports using appropriate software tools.
• Preparing regular progress reports, conducting literature reviews, summarizing findings, and developing high‑quality figures, tables, and graphs for dissemination.
• Draft manuscripts, contribute to grant proposals, and present research findings at scientific conferences.
• Develop and pursue independent research ideas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees