Post-Doctoral Fellow

University of Colorado • Aurora, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bonetto Laboratory at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow to join our research program focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer cachexia, skeletal muscle wasting, and cancer-associated metabolic dysfunction. The successful candidate will participate in innovative basic and translational research aimed at identifying mechanisms that drive cachexia and developing novel strategies to preserve muscle mass, function, metabolism, and quality of life in patients with cancer. The position offers opportunities to develop scientific independence, establish new research directions, collaborate across disciplines, mentor junior scientists, and acquire the skills and publication record necessary for the next stage of an academic or biomedical research career.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to biomedical sciences, cancer biology, skeletal muscle biology, molecular and cellular biology, physiology, metabolism, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Previous experience conducting hypothesis-driven biomedical research in an academic or comparable research environment.
• Experience in one or more areas relevant to the laboratory's research program, such as cancer biology, skeletal muscle biology and physiology, metabolism, molecular biology, cell biology, or animal models of human disease.
• Strong understanding of the scientific method, experimental design, appropriate controls, data interpretation, and principles of rigor and reproducibility.
• Knowledge of standard biomedical laboratory practices, including laboratory safety procedures and responsible conduct of research.
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and integrate new findings into ongoing research projects.
• Ability to understand, implement, and troubleshoot complex experimental protocols.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to recognize limitations, alternative interpretations, and potential next steps arising from experimental results.
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and research priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy and documentation.
• Excellent written and oral scientific communication skills.
• Ability to communicate research findings clearly through laboratory presentations, scientific meetings, manuscripts, abstracts, and grant applications.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with faculty, trainees, research staff, collaborators, and other members of the institution.
• Willingness to mentor and assist in the training of students, research assistants, and junior laboratory members.
• Intellectual curiosity, scientific creativity, initiative, and enthusiasm for learning new experimental and analytical approaches.
• Commitment to maintaining a professional, respectful, collaborative, and inclusive research environment.
• Familiarity with fundamental molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Experience may include mammalian cell culture, protein and/or RNA analysis, biochemical assays, microscopy, histology, or related experimental approaches.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, interpret, and present experimental data in a rigorous and reproducible manner.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications and scientific data-analysis software, such as GraphPad Prism, R, or comparable statistical and visualization tools.
• Ability to maintain accurate, detailed, and well-organized experimental records and research documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills in English.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates who are nearing completion of their doctoral degree may be considered, provided that all degree requirements are completed before the anticipated start date.
• Research experience in cancer cachexia, skeletal muscle wasting, muscle physiology, cancer biology, metabolism, or tumor–host interactions.
• Experience with in vivo models of cancer and/or cachexia, including animal handling, tumor implantation or monitoring, physiological phenotyping, tissue collection, and dissection.
• Experience with the characterization and phenotyping of genetically engineered or experimentally induced mouse models.
• Experience with skeletal muscle phenotyping, including muscle mass and function, histological and morphometric analyses, protein turnover, mitochondrial biology, metabolic assessment, or related approaches.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular and cellular biology techniques, including approaches such as Western blotting, quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and biochemical assays.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, execute, and analyze experiments addressing fundamental and translational questions related to cancer cachexia, skeletal muscle wasting, muscle metabolism, and tumor–host interactions.
• Develop rigorous experimental strategies, including appropriate controls, statistical approaches, and methods to ensure reproducibility and scientific rigor.
• Independently interpret experimental results, troubleshoot technical and conceptual challenges, formulate new hypotheses, and design follow-up studies.
• Conduct in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies using advanced biomedical research approaches, working both independently and collaboratively.
• Utilize and/or develop state-of-the-art experimental methodologies relevant to the laboratory's research program, including molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, skeletal muscle physiology, animal models of cancer and cachexia, imaging, histological analyses, and other mechanistic or translational approaches.
• Contribute to the development, optimization, and validation of novel experimental methods and research models.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive experimental records and ensure appropriate organization, documentation, analysis, and storage of research data.
• Participate in management of research projects and laboratory activities, including coordination of experiments, maintenance of research resources, and compliance with institutional research and safety requirements.
• Work closely with the Principal Investigator and collaborators to establish project priorities, experimental milestones, and short- and long-term research objectives.
• Prepare regular written and oral summaries of research progress for discussion with the Principal Investigator and research team.
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, research working groups, journal clubs, and institutional research forums.
• Present original research at national and international scientific conferences and other external scientific meetings.
• Critically evaluate the scientific literature and contribute to discussions regarding emerging concepts, technologies, and therapeutic opportunities in cancer cachexia and related fields.
• Develop clear and effective scientific communication skills for audiences ranging from specialized investigators to broader biomedical communities.
• Mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate students, professional research assistants, research staff, and other junior members of the laboratory as appropriate.
• Provide guidance in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, scientific reasoning, and presentation of research findings.
• Contribute to a collaborative, intellectually engaging, rigorous, and supportive laboratory environment.
• Participate in training new laboratory members in relevant experimental methods, research practices, and laboratory procedures.
• Develop leadership and mentorship skills appropriate for progression toward an independent scientific career.
• Develop competitive scientific and grant-writing skills through preparation of research proposals, fellowship applications, career development awards, and other internal or external funding applications.
• Pursue appropriate institutional, foundation, NIH, Department of Defense, or other fellowship and career-development opportunities, in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
• Participate in the development of preliminary data, scientific rationale, hypotheses, experimental aims, and research strategies supporting laboratory grant applications.
• Establish an individualized professional development plan with the Principal Investigator, including research, publication, funding, mentorship, and career goals.
• Lead the preparation of high-quality, full-length scientific manuscripts describing original research findings.
• Prepare abstracts, posters, oral presentations, figures, and other scientific materials for dissemination at conferences and scientific meetings.
• Contribute to collaborative manuscripts, reviews, perspectives, and other scholarly publications as appropriate.
• Work toward developing a strong and independent publication record that supports future career advancement.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the scientific literature relevant to cancer cachexia, skeletal muscle biology, cancer biology, metabolism, and related research areas.
• Identify emerging scientific questions, technologies, and experimental approaches that may advance ongoing projects or establish new areas of investigation.
• Generate new hypotheses and contribute intellectually to the development of independent and collaborative research projects.
• Establish productive collaborations within the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and with external investigators when appropriate.
• Explore opportunities to translate fundamental discoveries into clinically relevant biomarkers, therapeutic targets, or interventions for patients affected by cancer cachexia.
• Develop research directions that may ultimately form the foundation of an independent scientific program.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Generous leave
• Health plans
• Retirement contributions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree