Postdoctoral Fellow – In Vivo Pharmacology and Translational Oncology

University of Colorado • Aurora, CO

2d • $63,480 - $77,076 • Onsite

About The Position

A full-time Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in the laboratory of Professor Dan LaBarbera, PhD, within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with strong expertise in in vivo pharmacology, preclinical oncology, and mouse therapeutic efficacy studies to contribute to a federally funded translational research program focused on the preclinical development of novel small-molecule therapeutics for colorectal cancer. The research is conducted in collaboration with Onconaut Therapeutics Inc. and provides an opportunity to work at the interface of academic drug discovery, biotechnology, and translational oncology. The successful candidate will have substantial hands-on experience designing and executing mouse efficacy studies, including cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. The position requires proficiency in mouse handling and welfare and in repeated drug administration by oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, and intravenous tail-vein injection. Experience with orthotopic colorectal cancer models is highly desirable.

Requirements

• PhD, MD, DVM, or equivalent doctoral degree in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, cancer biology, molecular or cellular biology, translational biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience designing and conducting mouse in vivo pharmacology or therapeutic efficacy studies.
• Demonstrated experience with mouse tumor xenograft models, including cell line-derived xenografts and patient-derived xenografts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in mouse handling, restraint, health monitoring, and animal welfare procedures.
• Demonstrated proficiency administering drugs to mice by oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, and intravenous tail-vein injection.
• Experience independently collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and documenting data from animal studies.
• Strong knowledge of in vivo pharmacology, experimental oncology, and therapeutic efficacy study design.
• Strong technical skills in mouse handling and drug administration.
• Knowledge of animal welfare, humane endpoints, and principles governing responsible vertebrate animal research.
• Ability to independently design rigorous, reproducible animal experiments and troubleshoot experimental problems.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and scientific data interpretation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage complex longitudinal studies involving multiple treatment groups and dosing schedules.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary academic and industry research team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate experimental documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing and conducting preclinical oncology efficacy studies with investigational small-molecule therapeutics.
• Experience establishing, expanding, and conducting therapeutic studies using patient-derived xenograft models.
• Experience with orthotopic tumor models, particularly colorectal or gastrointestinal cancer models.
• Experience with surgical or microsurgical procedures used to establish orthotopic mouse tumor models.
• Experience with immunodeficient mouse strains commonly used for oncology studies.
• Experience with blood collection, necropsy, tumor and organ harvest, tissue processing, and preparation of samples for histologic and molecular analyses.
• Experience with pharmacodynamic or target-engagement studies in tumor tissues, including techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and/or immunofluorescence.
• Evidence of scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications and/or scientific presentations.
• Experience with orthotopic colorectal cancer models is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute in vivo pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy studies in mouse models of colorectal cancer.
• Establish and conduct cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) studies, including tumor implantation, growth monitoring, randomization, treatment, and study endpoints.
• Administer investigational therapeutics using multiple routes, including oral gavage (PO), intraperitoneal injection (IP), and intravenous tail-vein injection (IV), including repeated-dose treatment regimens.
• Perform routine mouse handling and health monitoring in both male and female mice, including restraint, body-weight and condition assessment, precise tumor measurements, and implementation of appropriate humane endpoints.
• Collect blood, tumors, and other tissues; perform or coordinate necropsy and tissue processing; and support downstream histologic, molecular, and pharmacodynamic/target-engagement analyses.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintain accurate study records, and prepare figures, presentations, reports, manuscripts, and other scientific materials.
• Collaborate with academic and industry investigators to develop experimental protocols, interpret results, troubleshoot studies, and advance preclinical therapeutic development.

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