Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Description:

We’re looking for those individuals—the creative thinkers and innovation seekers—who are content with nothing short of changing the world. Discover the endless opportunities within the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and be inspired by the work we can do together to improve health, and make a positive, daily impact in our communities. In the role of  Postdoctoral Fellow you will beworking in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), a postdoc is an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced research training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. In addition, according to the National Postdoc Association (NPA), Postdoctoral appointees can pursue basic, clinical or translational projects so long as their primary effort is devoted toward their own scholarship. Postdocs are essential to the scholarly mission of the mentor and host institution, and thus are expected to have the freedom to publish the results of their scholarship.

 We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow who is passionate about understanding the biological mechanisms of cervical cancer and other microbe-associated cancers (broadly defined). This individual will join the Oncopathogenomics Laboratory led by Dr. Akinyemi Ojesina at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Cancer Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

We investigate tumors as an ecosystem in which microbes (viruses, bacteria, etc) synergize with genomic alterations to influence tumor initiation, progression, response to therapy and prognosis. To do this, we apply a combination of cutting-edge genomic analyses and laboratory experiments to interrogate multi-ethnic patient samples, laboratory cell lines and animal models.

Ongoing and future projects include (i) genomic and functional characterization of molecular drivers of women’s cancers, (ii) biology and therapy of atypical cervical cancers, (iii) the role of the tumor microbiome in cancer initiation, progression, therapy response and prognosis, and (iv) novel microbe discovery in cancer and other chronic diseases. The knowledge gained using our “tumor ecology” paradigm will be translated into improvements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.

Characteristics of a postdoctoral appointment: 

It is expected that postdocs at MCW, with the assistance of their supervisor, will:

• Transition to career independence through the development of professional skills that enable the postdoc to actively pursue a career of his/her own choosing.
• Be supervised by at least one senior scholar who actively promotes the postdoc's professional development.
• Establish an individual development plan (IDP) that incorporates equally the postdoc's career and training goals and the mentor's research goals.
• Pursue basic, clinical, or translational projects so long as effort is focused primarily on research.
• Publish results of the postdoc's research and scholarship during their appointment.
• The postdoctoral appointment is temporary by nature the aggregate amount of time spent as a postdoc is recommended to not exceed five years (not including family medical leave or maternity/paternity leave).
• As postdocs are important members of the host institution's community, appropriate levels of compensation, health care, and other benefits commensurate with their essential status should be afforded, independent of the postdoc's source of funding.

Primary Functions

• • Perform cell culture and tumorigenic assays with cervical cancer cell lines.
  • Perform functional validation of CRISPR-generated driver mutants.
  • Investigate signaling pathways associated with cancer driving mutants.
  • Perform xenograft experiments.
  • Generate and analyze human and microbial genomic sequencing data from tumor DNA and RNA.
  • Plan, design and execute complex research studies, procedures and protocols.
  • Participate in discovery projects.
  • Coordinate research study activities; lead and manage projects.
  • Oversee organization, synthesis and analysis of data and findings.
  • Prepare scientific reports, outcome findings and scientific manuscripts. 
  • Participate in meetings with principle investigator and research staff in which you will evaluate/interpret the validity of data, develop methodologies, and design and evaluate lab procedures.
  • Maintain supplies, may require negotiation with vendors, and track purchase orders.
  • May oversee the work of laboratory personnel including training and development as well as daily work direction, delegation and establishing priorities.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

Required knowledge: biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, documentation, records management, data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and writing skills

• Experience with cell culture, molecular techniques, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, tumorigenesis assays is essential.
• Experience with analyzing genomic sequencing data is preferred.
• Experience with handling of laboratory animals is preferred.
• Experience with CRISPR editing is a plus.

Preferred Schedule:
Between 7am to 5pm

Position Requirements:

Specifications

Minimum Required Education:               PhD in a scientific field or MD

Minimum Required Experience:              1 year or more

Preferred Education:                              PhD     

Field:                                                    Functional genomics of cervical cancer (cell biology, in vivo animal models, tumorigenic assays, CRISPR editing, genomic sequencing analyses, HPV biology) 

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc. 

For a full list of positions see: www.mcw.edu/careers  

For a brief overview of our benefits see: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits

Eastern Wisconsin is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area.  MCW is intent on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the community we serve. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, thought, and perspectives to advance excellence in science and medicine.  MCW is a welcoming campus community with a strong culture of collaboration, partnership, and engagement with our surrounding community. For more information, please visit our institutional website at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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