Job Description Position Summary
Skin cancer treatment imposes a significant public health burden, with three-fold more cases per year than all other cancers combined. If left untreated, these tumors can lead to disfigurement and death. Our understanding of what drives these tumors is incomplete, and we hope that through innovative approaches to study skin cancer pathogenesis, we will have an opportunity to make a significant impact in the treatment and prevention of skin cancers.
With this in mind, we invite highly motivated candidates to apply for a postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Dr. David Chen in the Division of Dermatology within the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Our goal is to understand the molecular events that predispose skin to forming cancer. We have identified alterations in epigenetic marks, like DNA methylation (Chen, et al PNAS 2021) and in histone modifying proteins (manuscript in preparation) cause premalignant changes in skin. Multiple projects are available to explore other premalignant states in the skin, including those conferred by aging. We currently have projects studying keratinocyte carcinomas (squamous cell carcinoma) as well as melanocyte lineage tumors (melanoma). There will be opportunities to do in vitro studies and in vivo modeling in mice, as well as translational studies using primary samples from human patients as well as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Aside from wet lab investigation, our toolkit also includes single cell RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing. We are also looking to develop spatial transcriptomics and epigenomics as part of our lab.
For further details, please see the Chen lab website at https://sites.wustl.edu/chenlab .
Information on being a postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/ .
Required Qualifications
Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal or doctoral degree.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in any of the following domains, including mouse modeling, cell and molecular biology, genomics and epigenomics, or biochemistry.
Working Conditions
This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Salary Range
Base pay is commensurate with experience.
Applicant Special Instructions
Interested applicants can provide a brief cover letter highlighting research experience and interests, along with CV, to David Chen, MD, PhD via email at davidchen@wustl.edu .
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.
EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
Job Description
Position Summary
Skin cancer treatment imposes a significant public health burden, with three-fold more cases per year than all other cancers combined. If left untreated, these tumors can lead to disfigurement and death. Our understanding of what drives these tumors is incomplete, and we hope that through innovative approaches to study skin cancer pathogenesis, we will have an opportunity to make a significant impact in the treatment and prevention of skin cancers.
With this in mind, we invite highly motivated candidates to apply for a postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Dr. David Chen in the Division of Dermatology within the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Our goal is to understand the molecular events that predispose skin to forming cancer. We have identified alterations in epigenetic marks, like DNA methylation (Chen, et al PNAS 2021) and in histone modifying proteins (manuscript in preparation) cause premalignant changes in skin. Multiple projects are available to explore other premalignant states in the skin, including those conferred by aging. We currently have projects studying keratinocyte carcinomas (squamous cell carcinoma) as well as melanocyte lineage tumors (melanoma). There will be opportunities to do in vitro studies and in vivo modeling in mice, as well as translational studies using primary samples from human patients as well as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Aside from wet lab investigation, our toolkit also includes single cell RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing. We are also looking to develop spatial transcriptomics and epigenomics as part of our lab.
For further details, please see the Chen lab website at https://sites.wustl.edu/chenlab .
Information on being a postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/ .
Required Qualifications
Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal or doctoral degree.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in any of the following domains, including mouse modeling, cell and molecular biology, genomics and epigenomics, or biochemistry.
Working Conditions
This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Salary Range
Base pay is commensurate with experience.
Applicant Special Instructions
Interested applicants can provide a brief cover letter highlighting research experience and interests, along with CV, to David Chen, MD, PhD via email at davidchen@wustl.edu .
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.
EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
