Postdoc Fellow - Dr. Di Zhao's Lab

The postdoctoral fellow position is available for highly motivated candidates with a background in cancer research, molecular/cellular biology, immunology, or tumor microenvironment study. Projects will focus on functional genomics of prostate cancer, with a special interest in understanding crosstalk between cancer cells and immune components in the tumor microenvironment and metastatic niche.

The Principal Investigator of our laboratory is Dr. Di Zhao, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Zhao received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Fudan University in 2014, under Drs. Kunliang Guan, Yue Xiong, and Qunying Lei (Zhao et al. Cancer Cell 2013, and J Clin. Invest. 2014). Then, she started her postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Ronald DePinho. Her highly productive postdoctoral research focused on prostate cancer genetics and biology (Zhao et al. Nature 2017, and Cancer Discovery 2020). In 2019, Dr. Zhao started her independent laboratory at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. The studies in her laboratory have been published in high-profile journals (Shi et al. Sci Transl Med 2023; Li et al. Cancer Res 2022). Dr. Zhao won a variety of awards and research grants, including Ray Wu Prize (2014), Odyssey Fellowship (2016), Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award (2017), NIH/NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) (2018), CPRIT Recruitment of First-Time Tenure-Track Faculty Award (2019), Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Award (2022), NIH/NCI R01 (2023), DoD PCRP Idea Development Award (2024), and among others.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the postdoctoral fellow will conduct in vitro and in vivo experiments to study functional genomics of prostate cancer and understand the crosstalk between cancer cells and immune components in the tumor microenvironment and metastatic niche. They will analyze, interpret, and report data and results to the Principal Investigator and other lab members periodically. They will adopt new techniques and develop new skills in animal modeling, cancer biology, tumor microenvironment study, immunotherapy, and single-cell-based transcriptomics and proteomics to enhance research efforts. The postdoc will function independently in the design experiments, managing projects, analyzing data, and troubleshooting. They will write the draft of scientific papers to peer-reviewed journals, present posters or give oral presentations in local or national meetings and conferences.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A Ph.D. degree in Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or equivalent is required. Applicants with good publication records and relevant research experience with oncogenic signaling, tumor microenvironment, immunology, or computational biology are preferred. We highly value hard work, curiosity, innovation, teamwork, and professional development in combination with a healthy work/life balance. The postdoc candidate is expected to join the lab in Fall 2024.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
Please send curriculum vitae, a cover letter stating research interests and career goals, and names and contact information of three references to:

Di Zhao, PhD
Email: [email protected]
Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
6565 MD Anderson Blvd Unit 1052, Houston TX 77030

POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson follows the NIH stipend levels as outlined by the Kirchstein - NRSA . This full-time trainee position will provide a salary between $56,484 to $68,604, dependent upon the years of postgraduate experience.

MD Anderson offers compensated trainees:
- Paid medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for trainees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
- Paid Education Vacation and Sick Leave
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave and other paid leave programs
- Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
- Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
- Health Savings Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement flexible spending accounts
- Fertility benefits
- State of Texas longevity pay
- Extensive wellness, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups