Post-Doctoral Fellow/Research Associate - Department of Oncology

Wayne State University • Detroit, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Wayne State University is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow/Research Associate in the Department of Oncology at its Detroit campus. This role is for individuals who have recently completed a doctoral degree (within the past 6 years) and provides a full-time program of advanced academic preparation and research training under the guidance of a supervising Faculty Mentor. Postdoctoral appointments are temporary, designed to develop the individual as an independent scientist and enhance professional skills, preparing them for future faculty teaching/research positions or other career outcomes. The position involves studying the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase (DUSP/MKP) in cancers, conducting extensive research using tissue culture, molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques, and performing technical laboratory and/or field experimental procedures. Postdoctoral Scholars are paid a salary by WSU, typically from a grant, while Postdoctoral Fellows receive financial support from an outside agency. Both are expected to conduct independent research, secure grant funding, and may be involved in training undergraduate and graduate students. The role also includes data recording, analysis, reporting, and the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Postdoctoral Scholars/Fellows provide leadership in designing and managing research programs, assist Faculty Mentors with protocols, and train/supervise technical research staff. They are also expected to write research grants and produce scholarly publications and presentations.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree
• Advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning, predominantly intellectual in character, acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction
• Intermediate (3 to 4 years job-related experience)
• Job related experience can include doctorate training
• Must have distinguished themselves in research
• Prior recipient of funding for research based on individual achievements
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to secure grants and funding for research
• Ability to collect, analyze, summarize and interpret research findings in reports and communicate results to the field
• Knowledge of and experience with current scientific integrity principles
• Excellent time management and organization skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment
• Microsoft office software skills

Nice To Haves

• PhD in cancer biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or related discipline
• A strong cell and molecular biology background is required
• Previous experience with the tumor mouse model is desirable
• Self-motivated, quick learner
• Be flexible and adapt in a dynamic research environment
• Good oral and written communications skills
• Must have a positive attitude and willingness to work with other staff, researchers, and faculty collaboratively

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research
• Design and perform experiments
• Recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates
• Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines
• Assist staff with experiments /research protocols as required
• Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research
• Assist the Principal Investigator in designing and performing protocols
• Collect and log research data
• Assist other lab members with experiments as required
• May mentor research assistants and students
• Evaluate and perform preliminary analysis of the data using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated
• Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data
• Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy
• Prepare and present presentations regarding research results for professional, scientific and academic conferences
• Summarize and organize data results for submittal to academic and scholarly, peer-reviewed journals
• Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication
• Fact-check, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy
• Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required
• Order and organize required research supplies and records
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Study the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase (DUSP/MKP) in cancers
• Conduct research involving extensive tissue culture, molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques
• General lab maintenance, ordering, and inventory control
• Keep good documentation in compliance with regulations
• Complete technical laboratory and/or field experimental procedures
• Conduct independent research with grant funding they were responsible for obtaining
• Be involved with the training of undergraduate and graduate students in the laboratory (with permission and supervision of their mentor(s))
• Independently conduct a variety of laboratory experiments, including tissue culture, cell viability assays, sample preparation, and cell and molecular biology techniques, including DNA cloning, FACs, western blotting, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and an in vivo anticancer efficacy study involving mice
• Perform data recording, analysis, and reporting
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
• Provide leadership in the design and management of research programs
• Assist Faculty Mentor(s) in designing protocols
• Train and/or supervise technical research staff to complete research projects
• Write research grants with the goal of obtaining additional research grants (with the assistance of the Faculty Mentor)
• Conduct independent research that is expected to result in scholarly publications and presentations for research funding at scientific meetings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees