The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing projects and hypotheses on the role of the dark proteome in cancer, as part of the Cancer Grand Challenges team ILLUMINE. This position affords the exciting opportunity to be part of a research effort aiming to dissect the basis of cancer and its therapeutic implications. 

This is a fully funded position.  We are supportive of post-doctoral research fellows obtaining independent funding and/or career development awards to advance their independent academic careers.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and advance independent research projects focused on the cancer genome in pediatric brain tumors and other malignancies.  The lab is broadly interested in the molecular basis of cancer. 

The successful candidate will be able to advance cancer-related work around our active projects in:

• Non-canonical open reading frames

• RNA translational control

• Therapeutic targeting of RNA translation

• RNA diagnostics

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct wet-lab molecular biology, tissue culture, and high throughput screen experiments.  Knowledge of bioinformatic analyses is considered a strength.

The candidate is expected to work independently on a daily basis, with regularly scheduled meetings with the Principal Investigator. 

• Develop and conduct independent and collaborative research projects that interface with one or more of the following: spatial translatomics, RNA translation, translational regulation, RNA therapeutics, RNA diagnostics, non-canonical open reading frames, and genomics with a focus on cancer biology, pediatric brain tumors, developmental biology, and human genetics. 

• Maintain and develop collaborations to advance the scientific work.

• Document, compile, and format data analysis in presentations and reports to supervisor. 

• Mentors and trains junior lab members.

• Nurture a lab culture that is collaborative, supportive and scientifically adventurous.

Education

• PhD in the life sciences, or other comparable degree (including MD or MD/PhD)

Skills and abilities

• Exceptional organizational and critical thinking skills, analytical practices and attention to detail are essential.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff and with external contacts are needed. 

• Ability and eagerness to learn in a self-motivating environment. 

• Prior experience with mammalian tissue culture, DNA/RNA molecular assays, protein biology, high-throughput genetic screens, and -omics datasets is desired

• Prior experience with sequencing data analysis, coding in Python and R, is desired

• Prior experience with mouse models of cancer is advantageous
  
   

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.