Postdoctoral Associate

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

The lab of Tammara Watts, MD, PhD has an immediate position for a postdoctoral research scientist. The primary focus of the Watts lab is understanding the bi-directional signaling between tumor microenvironment mesenchymal stromal cells, cancer associated fibroblasts and tumor epithelial cells that mediate chemoradiation resistance. In addition, we have recently been awared NIH R01 funding within the cancer disparities space seeking to undertand the biologic basis for racial disparities in HPV-mediated oropharynx cancer. Preference will be given to highly self-motivated individuals interested, early in their post-doctoral training with an interest in career advancement and academic growth opportunities. Our NIH funded work will utilize spatial transcriptomics and single cell analyses to better understand the genomic differences between racial groups with head and neck cancer. The Department of Head and Neck Surgery is seeking to build a premier head and neck oncology research group. We are a highly collaborative group and funding is available to support the ideal candidate for at least 2-3 years.

Please submit an electronic curriculum vitae, a brief letter of research interest and a list of references.

Work Performed

• Organizing and implementing complex research plans, the development of methods, data collection, analysis and evaluation, and writing.

• Assist the Principal Investigator in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences www.headandnecksurgery.duke.edu.  Analyze and interpret collected and prepare reports of high-profile data to investigators with a rapid turnaround time.
• Research new products, tests, and methods and report on relative feasibility, quality, and benefits of new developments.
• Summarize completed protocols and studies; write scientific articles and manuscripts for publication and presentation.
• Monitor progress of research projects and coordinate with Principal Investigator to stay on budget and schedule to meet the milestones and deliverables.
• Training in bioethics, laboratory management, and scientific writing.
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation of experiments, including raw experimental data and laboratory notebooks.
• Present scientific results at meetings and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

Minimum Requirements

PhD, MD, or MD, PhD; minimum one first author publication, expertise in molecular biology techniques including western blot, flow cytometry, QT-PCR, RNA/DNA extraction, protein purification, siRNA. Work with mice will be required.  Ideal candidates will possess excellent oral and written communication.

Job Code: 00003820 POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE
Job Level: 00

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