Postdoctoral Fellow: Genetics and Epigenetics of Gastrointestinal Cancers

About City of Hope:

City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment, and educational institution with over 6000 employees, is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases and is guided by a compassionate, patient-centered philosophy. Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Duarte, California, City of Hope is a remarkable non-profit institution where compassion and advanced care go hand-in-hand with excellence in clinical and scientific research. City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers that develops and institutes standards of care for cancer treatment.

Position Summary:

We currently have multiple Postdoctoral Fellowship positions within the multidisciplinary research team headed by Dr. Ajay Goel, Professor, and Chair, of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics and Associate Director of Basic Sciences, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer. Our multidisciplinary research group comprises basic biologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists, and bioinformaticians, undertaking a number of collaborative projects involving large international consortia. Our research is focused on translational research as it relates to the genomic and epigenomic characterization of various gastrointestinal cancers (GI), including colorectal, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. Our group performs cutting-edge research in GI oncology, is very productive, and publishes in high-impact journals such as Gastroenterology, Cancer Cell, PNAS, JNCI, Clinical Cancer Research, Nature Communications, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Annals of Surgery, etc.

Some of the key research topics in our laboratory include:

1) Development of cell-free DNA and RNA-based liquid biopsy biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and predictive response to various therapies.

2) Study the epigenetic basis of GI cancers (e.g., aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs.

3) The genetic basis of early-onset and familial/hereditary colorectal cancers. 

4) The role of the tumor microenvironment, stem cells, immune regulation, and identification of novel targeted therapies. 

5) The role of extracellular vesicles/exosomes in cancer pathogenesis and their role as disease biomarkers.

Key Responsibilities include:

·        Devise, plan, document, and advance basic science and translational projects in the area of genetics, epigenetics, and precision oncology of gastrointestinal cancers.

·        Generate data for grant applications and prepare manuscripts for publication.

·        Work in close collaboration with other team members and external collaborators, including presentation of progress internally or externally.

·        Train and supervise technical staff.

Qualifications: Basic education, experience, and skills required for consideration:

·        Ph.D., MD, or MD/Ph.D., with a strong background and profound knowledge in the field of oncology, cancer biology, immunology, or immunotherapy.

·        Ability to work in a fast-paced research environment and manage multiple projects and collaborations.

·        Previous experience in working with human specimens and development of novel, innovative cancer biomarkers.

·        Evidence of scientific rigor and excellence as documented by high-impact peer-reviewed publications.

·        Strong team player with excellent communication skills and fluency in English, both spoken and written.

·         The individual must have effective skills in oral and written communication, teamwork, and problem-solving and be adaptable to changes in technological and scientific directions

·        Commitment to the program for at least two-three years.

Additional Information:

·        You will have the unique possibility to drive research towards a novel cancer therapy at the interface of science and translation to the clinic and publish high-impact journals.

·        Please send your current CV/resume to ajgoel@coh.org , along with a cover letter highlighting your research accomplishments, a brief statement explaining how your past research ties in with the goals of our laboratory, and future career plans.

Your application should include the following in a single PDF:

• Curriculum Vitae and coordinates of three scientific mentors or references
• A cover letter highlighting your research interests, a brief statement explaining how your past research ties in with the goals of our laboratory, and future career plans.
• The City of Hope is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.