Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Center for Translational Cancer Research. Position in proteolysis targeted cancer drug discovery.

Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School.

A postdoctoral position is available to discover novel protein-based therapeutics for cancer treatment in the laboratory of Dr. Qingyun "Jim" Liu, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine. The Liu laboratory is focused on understanding the function and mechanism of LGR4/5/6 (leucine-rich repeat-containing, G protein-coupled receptor 4, 5, and 6) in Wnt signaling and targeting the three receptors for cancer treatment. LGR4/5/6 are abundantly expressed in gastrointestinal cancer with LGR5 being a marker of cancer stem cells/tumor-initiating cells. Our lab is using multiple approaches that target LGR4/5/6 for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, including drug conjugates of modified ligands and proteolysis targeting of oncogenes. The postdoctoral position will focus on the creation and characterization of bi-specific molecules that target oncogenic driver genes and immune modulators for degradation using cutting edge technology of drug discovery.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time - all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

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• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

A biomedical postdoc position provides an opportunity for early-career researchers to gain valuable experience, develop independent research skills, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in their field of expertise.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Plans and conducts experiments, analyzes data, and prepares publications describing results.
2. Assists in training and mentoring of lab personnel, including graduate students and other trainees.
3. Reads and evaluates literature.
4. Possess interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate and communicate with individuals at all levels.
5. Have strong written and oral communication skills.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.

A Ph.D. in the field of biochemistry, cell biology, cancer biology, pharmacology, or therapeutics.

Experience with molecular cloning, protein purification, cancer cell line culturing, and xenograft cancer models are highly desirable but not required.

Minimum Education:

Doctoral/Terminal Degree

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.