Post Doctoral Associate

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Do you have a background in molecular, biochemical or chemical mechanisms, cancer, medicinal or analytical chemistry? Are you interested in translational medicine and taking your mechanistic findings rapidly to the bedside in a vibrant clinical research program?  If so, a postdoctoral fellowship position supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Prostate Cancer Foundation is available in the laboratory of Dr. Nima Sharifi at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute at the University Miami Miller School of Medicine. 

Our laboratory focuses on mechanistic discovery to understand the metabolic and molecular mechanisms of androgen synthesis and androgen receptor gain-of-function that lead to resistance to hormonal therapy.  Our work is revealing fundamental endocrine mechanisms in both normal physiology and disease, including stress, aging, and glucocorticoid resistance, that will lead to broad applications to oncology and cancer physiology. Specific areas include:

• Metabolic and genetic changes required for hormone therapy resistance in prostate and breast cancers

• Discovery of entirely new mechanisms of endocrine physiology and regulation

• Clinical validation in patients and clinical trials using innovative approaches

• Animal models of advanced cancer for translational and therapeutic studies

• Identifying targets for the development of new pharmacologic therapies

• Drug discovery for new therapies

We discovered the first example of a gain-of-function in a steroid-synthesizing enzyme that enables prostate cancer resistance to hormonal therapy (Chang, et al. Cell . 2013;154:1074-84). We also recently discovered that abiraterone works by conversion to a more active steroidal metabolite (Li, et al. Nature. 2015;523:347-51), that metabolism is pharmacologically modifiable to optimize therapy (Li, et al. Nature. 2016;533:547-51) and that these events are a class effect of steroidal androgen synthesis inhibitors (Alyamani, et al. Cell Chem Biol. 2017;24:825-32) and genetic determination of metabolite generation (Alyamani, et al. J Clin Invest . 2018;128:3333-40). We reported that blockade of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase normalizes glucocorticoid metabolism and reverses enzalutamide resistance, credentialing a new pharmacologic vulnerability (Li, et al. Sci Transl Med 13; 2021. Most recently, we reported that the BMX kinase controls the same steroid-synthesizing enzyme that enables treatment resistance, thus indicating potential new treatment vulnerabilities for sex steroid-dependent cancers (Li, et al. J Clin Invest . 2023;133(2):e163498. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI163498).

                                                              

This position is ideal for an individual with a strong interest in rapid translation of basic mechanistic discoveries to the bedside as this is a principal goal of the Sharifi Laboratory. For example, we have shown that our discovery of a gain-of-function in a steroid-synthesizing enzyme is a predictive biomarker of poor outcomes after hormonal therapy (Hearn, et al. Lancet Oncol . 2016;17:1435-44; JAMA Oncol . 2018;4:558-62; JAMA Oncol . 2020;6(4):e196496).  We are currently evaluating this biomarker in an active clinical trial and are pursuing similar mechanisms and developing new treatment modalities based on these discoveries. 

The position will provide a unique and multidisciplinary exposure to tumor metabolism, molecular oncology, drug development, and clinical trials. 

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:                                                                                                         

• MD or Ph.D. in biochemistry, chemistry, or molecular biology

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Has the appropriate expertise in discovery of molecular, biochemical or chemical mechanisms; and is highly driven.

• Outstanding verbal and communication skills are required.

• Skill in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data.

• Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

Patient safety is a top priority. As a result, during the Influenza ("the flu") season (September through April), the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine requires all employees who provide ongoing services to patients, work in a location (all Hospitals and clinics) where patient care is provided, or work in patient care or clinical care areas, to have an annual influenza vaccination. Failure to meet this requirement will result in rescinding or termination of employment.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff

Pay Grade:

A9