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.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality, curiosity, and the unique perspectives that each member of our research community brings. As the Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer Epigenetics, Functional Genomics, and Radiation Response, you will join a collaborative and innovative team led by physician-scientist Dr. Christine Eyler in the Department of Radiation Oncology.

Our laboratory is dedicated to understanding the fundamental mechanisms that drive cancer development, treatment response, and therapeutic resistance. By combining cutting-edge molecular biology, functional genomics, and translational research approaches, we aim to identify new treatment strategies that improve outcomes for patients with cancer.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to impactful discoveries while developing your scientific independence in a highly collaborative environment that values mentorship, innovation, and professional growth.

Be Bold.

Join a research program focused on understanding how tumors evolve during and after therapy, with a particular emphasis on epigenetic regulation, radiation response, and treatment resistance. Our work leverages patient-derived organoids, engineered cellular models, functional genomics, and clinical specimens to advance cancer research and therapeutic development.

What You'll Do

• Lead and drive an independent research project investigating cancer epigenetics, functional genomics, and treatment response.
• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret complex laboratory experiments while maintaining accurate and comprehensive research records.
• Establish and maintain patient-derived cancer organoid cultures and cellular model systems.
• Perform viability, clonogenic, and molecular assays to evaluate treatment response and biological mechanisms.
• Conduct and troubleshoot molecular biology techniques, including:
• PCR
• RT-qPCR
• Western blotting
• Immunofluorescence
• Design and execute next-generation sequencing experiments, from library preparation through downstream data analysis.
• Apply advanced technologies including:
• CRISPR-based genetic screening
• High-throughput microscopy
• Confocal microscopy
• Flow cytometry and cell sorting
• Functional genomic profiling
• Contribute to in vivo studies using mouse models and acquire new technical expertise as needed.
• Participate in clinical research efforts involving retrieval, processing, and molecular analysis of patient-derived specimens from prospective clinical trials.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts, figures, presentations, and research reports for publication and dissemination.
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, institutional seminars, scientific conferences, and professional forums.
• Collaborate on grant and fellowship applications, including individual funding opportunities such as F32, K99/R00, and foundation awards.
• Mentor and train research technicians, students, and junior trainees.
• Support a collegial, rigorous, and collaborative laboratory culture through shared participation in laboratory operations and resource management.

Research Areas

Current projects include:

• Investigating mechanisms of radiation response and treatment resistance.
• Identifying treatment-induced collateral sensitivities and novel therapeutic opportunities.
• Designing and implementing CRISPR-based genetic and pharmacologic screening approaches.
• Exploring enhancer biology and three-dimensional genome architecture through advanced genomic technologies.
• Conducting molecular analyses of patient-derived clinical samples collected through prospective clinical trials.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Computational Biology, or a related scientific discipline, or expected completion before the start date.
• Demonstrated research productivity through first-author publications, submitted manuscripts, or comparable scholarly accomplishments.
• Strong scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to independently drive research projects.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams while mentoring junior researchers and trainees.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is advantageous, but not required:

• Functional genomics and pooled screening technologies
• CRISPR knockout, CRISPRa/i, or base-editing platforms
• NGS library preparation and sequencing methods, including:
• ATAC-seq
• CUT&RUN
• CUT&Tag
• RNA-seq
• Hi-C
• Micro-C
• RCMC
• Organoid culture systems
• Mouse models
• Flow cytometry
• DNA damage and repair assays
• Computational genomics and bioinformatics
• Programming and analytical tools such as:
• R
• Python
• Command-line computing
• High-performance computing environments

Candidates with strong computational backgrounds who are interested in developing wet-lab expertise are strongly encouraged to apply.

Career Development & Mentorship

Duke is committed to supporting postdoctoral scholars through robust professional development opportunities. Through the Office of Postdoctoral Services, you will have access to:

• Career and leadership development programming
• Grant-writing and funding support
• Teaching and mentoring opportunities
• Networking and professional advancement resources
• Individualized mentoring and career planning

Together with the Principal Investigator, you will develop a personalized training plan aligned with your long-term career goals.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll join one of the nation's leading academic medical centers and a world-renowned research community committed to discovery, innovation, and improving human health. The Eyler Lab is embedded within a vibrant scientific ecosystem that includes collaborations across the Duke Cancer Institute, the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, and external partner institutions.

Researchers benefit from access to exceptional shared resources, including:

• Advanced sequencing platforms
• Flow cytometry and cell-sorting facilities
• High-throughput imaging technologies
• High-performance computing infrastructure
• Translational and clinical research collaborations

Whether your goal is a career in academia, industry, biotechnology, or translational medicine, Duke provides the resources, mentorship, and scientific community to help you thrive.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help advance groundbreaking discoveries in cancer biology, radiation response, and precision oncology while building the next chapter of your scientific career at Duke.