Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow
Location: Columbia
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 34936
Job Description

Job Summary:
The Child Health Research Institute in the Department of Child Health at The University of Missouri focuses on exploration of mechanisms underlying the mechanistic links between sleep disorders and cancer and on potentially developing novel biologics and their targeted delivery to potentiate cancer immunosurveillance. Duties for this Position include i) develop, execute, and evaluate experiments assessing immunomodulatory changes induced by sleep disorders and particularly intermittent hypoxia in mouse models of tumors, including patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models; ii) produce, analyze, and organize data for oral presentations at local, national, and international meetings as well as for grant submissions; iii) keep a detailed record of experimental results, write manuscripts, and publish them in peer-reviewed journals; iv) contribute to ongoing research by active participation in lab discussions, training graduate students and technical personnel for desired techniques as needed.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Design and perform studies assessing immune function and intrinsic pathways within human melanoma cancer models in preclinical settings of cancer prevention and treatment. These will tumor cell injection, treatment with recombinant proteins, immune monitoring using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, RNA-seq, in vitro T cell proliferation, killing, and suppression assays.

Meticulous record keeping, data analysis, graphing, and interpretation.
Generate humanized mouse models and test the efficacy of lead immunomodulatory protocols for the prevention and treatment of tumors in mice, including PDX models combined with murine models of sleep disorders.

Perform multiparameter flow cytometry and quantitative RT-PCR/RNAseq for detailed immune monitoring to investigate underlying mechanisms of the immunomodulatory protocol failure or success.

Perform cellular immunology assays, including antigen-driven T cell proliferation, intracellular cytokine and suppression assays as well as metabolic assays using Seahorse.

Perform immunohistochemistry.

Write manuscript and prepare data for grant submissions and progress reports.

Present research results at laboratory, national, and international meetings.

Provide technical support to laboratory staff and graduate students.

Contribute to the day-to-day maintenance of the laboratory by performing various functions, such as reagent ordering, inventory, preparation of common reagents, etc.

Further duties include, preparation of scientific publications, assistance with grant applications, and provide technical teaching/training support to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians.

Qualifications

Minimum:
Ph.D., M.D. or D.V.M. This position requires a minimum of 3 years of basic laboratory experience and expertise in immunology with a focus on cancer and immunity, working with rodents, mammalian tissue culture, qRT-PCR/RNAseq, microarrays, RNA-seq, Seahorse-based metabolic assays. Effective oral and written and interpersonal communications skills as well as proficiency in word, excel, PowerPoint, and statistical software. Experience in bioinformatics will be an added advantage.

Preferred:
Expertise in handling rodents, including injection via various routes and end point tissue harvesting.
Experience with molecular biology, including quantitative RT-PCR and cDNA libraries.
Experience in multiparameter flow cytometry
Experience in metabolic assays, particularly Seahorse technology
Experience in bioinformatics.

Application Materials

Be prepared to upload a CV.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Diversity Commitment

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor of Human Resource Services/Affirmative Action officer at 573-882-4256.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manager at 573-884-7278.

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