Summary

The Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine is a stand-alone, multi-disciplinary academic unit focusing on breast cancer research and patient care. The stand-alone and multi-disciplinary nature and the focus on a single cancer type distinguish the LSSBC from all other academic units in the United States. The center integrates clinical trials, informatics, technology, and cancer biology for the sole purpose of conquering breast cancer and improving patient care. We are one of the few recipients of the NIH Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE).

The basic and translational research at Breast Center covers areas of cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment and metastasis. Our scientists have continuously made breakthroughs in understanding how breast cancer disseminates and becomes resistant to therapies. The close collaboration with clinicians enables smooth translation of lab studies at the bench to clinical treatment at the bedside. We also work to engage the community for a more concerted action against breast cancer.

Job Duties

We are looking to recruit a talented scientist focusing on the areas of expertise in molecular biology, animal studies, and pre-clinical therapeutic development.

• Prepares and conducts laboratory research experiments specific to protein synthesis and quality control in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment during tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
• Using analytical pipelines including artificial intelligence (AI) agents with biomedical research capabilities to identify immunological cell patterns within the blood of patients that presented with and without TNBC liver metastases.
• Collects, compiles and analyzes data focusing on mechanisms of resistance to eIF4A inhibition.
• Conducts literature searches and summarizes information in an appropriate format for a particular study.
• Documents results of experiments.
• Selects, evaluates and applies techniques used in routine research.
• Seek external funding via grants applications/submissions.
• Engage in teaching graduate or medical students.
• Involve in departmental committee duties.
• Train and supervises less experienced research staff such as graduate students and postdocs.
• Analyzing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the single-arm phase I/II trial (NCT03106415) from TNBC patients treated with immunotherapy pembrolizumab and MEK inhibitor binimetinib.       
• Collaborate with scientists out of the lab for multidisciplinary study.
• Develop new model and technique to support the cancer-related research in the lab.
• Advise junior scientists and provide guidance on their projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Doctoral degree in a biomedical science.