POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

School of Medicine:

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation’s top medical schools. Ranked tenth among its peers, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where traditional barriers are low, interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced, and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve humanhealth locally and around the globe.

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OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

Postdoctoral Associate in The Department of Neurosurgery
A post-doctoral position is available in The Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program (BTIP) has a singular, all-encompassing goal: to develop novel, safe, and effective immune-based therapies for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors. Our preclinical and clinical projects are spearheaded by an outstanding complement of graduate students, medical students, research associates, postdoctoral fellows, and junior and senior scientists assembled under the umbrella of the Duke Brain Tumor Center that covers a wide area of research:

https://tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/research/basic-translational-research

A main focus of the program is Immunotherapeutic approaches that include vaccines, biologics such as antibodies, bispecific antibodies, oncolytic viruses, recombinant chemokines/cytokines T cell based and other novel cellular therapies. These immunotherapeutic strategies are to be evaluated in immunocompetent and immunocompromised preclinical models with the ultimate objective to translate the findings to clinical trials in human subjects. The research associate will have access to all laboratory equipment and supplies necessary within the Duke Brain Tumor Center. As needed, the Research Associate may be asked to assist the team with other studies as well.

This position will involve basic and translational research focused on glioma and microenvironment cell state and immune interactions and how these change during glioma evolution, how this interfaces with response and resistance to immunotherapy. We have a hybrid dry and wet lab allowing us to generate and analyze data from emerging technologies including single cell genomics/proteomics to better answer our biologically-driven questions. 

Candidates will be encouraged to pursue studies on glioma and glioma microenvironment, or to shape their own projects using the trial and omics and the datasets and tools that are available to the lab. Postdoctoral associates have the opportunity to leverage the large convergence of glioma datasets from international collaborations and from large clinical trials using an extremely sophisticated computational and technological infrastructure. We have a broad collaborative network, both institutionally as well as externally. 

Our institution is well equipped with cutting edge technology. Combined, we offer a supportive environment that is highly conducive to effectively working towards a great future.
If you are a PhD-level or MD-level scientist with first author publications and an interest in cancer genomics, we strongly encourage you to apply! We look for candidates with computational expertise and preferable previous work in cancer. 

Qualifications:
•                  MD; or PhD in genetics, computational biology, immunology, molecular/cell biology, or other quantitative science
•                  Prior research experience in the following areas will be preferred: cancer, quantitative biology
•                  Track record of productivity supported by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals
•                  Outstanding writing and communication skills, with an ability to work both independently and within collaborative teams productively. 

Candidates should be enthusiastic about collaborative and interdisciplinary research, productive, and highly motivated to develop as independent scientists.
We have a strong track record for successfully transitioning postdoctoral fellows to independent grant funding and faculty positions. Duke University is in the vibrant research environment of the Research Triangle Park in Durham, North Carolina.
Min Degree Requirements:  

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.).  Should be used for post-doctoral fellows if the candidate has completed all of the requirements for a degree, but the degree has not been formally conferred; the candidate may present evidence of completion of the degree requirements, together with a statement documenting the date on which the degree is to be conferred.

Other Credential/Experiential Requirements:  

The incumbent must be a true post-doctoral fellow registered with the Post Doc Office and per the following requirements:
•    The term of this appointment is limited
•    The appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship, which may include teaching responsibilities.
•    The appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full time academic or research career.
•    The appointment is not part of a clinical research training program, unless research training under the supervision of a senior mentor is a primary purpose of the appointment.
•    The appointee works under the supervision of a scholar or a department at Duke University.
•    The appointee has the freedom, and is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment.

See job description for requirements.

See job description for education requirements.

See job description for requirements.

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