Summary

Seeking a Staff Scientist to support the Li laboratory as they investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast cancer initiation, progression and metastasis as well as cancer stem cells. Specifically, the Li lab studies how specific subsets of breast cells respond to the initiating oncogenes and eventually evolve into cancer. The molecular pathways that are examined by this lab include the Wnt-beta-catenin-LGR4, HER2/Neu, and JAK/STAT, and Bcl-xL signaling pathways. This lab also investigates the impact of pregnancy, obesity/diabetes, and antipsychotic drugs on breast cancer, and explores new approaches to breast cancer prevention. In addition, this group has recently begun to explore the involvement of immune cells in cancer initiation and invasion. 

Job Duties

• Independently carry out research projects.
• Participate in lab management and supervision/training of junior lab members.
• Prepare and conduct laboratory research experiments.
• Collect, compile and analyze data.
• May participate in the development of grant budgets, oversee expenditures of grant monies, perform accounting functions, produce expenditure reports.
• Conduct literature searches and summarize information in an appropriate format for a particular study.
• Select, evaluate and apply techniques used in routine research.
• Oversight of Lab Maintenance: Consult with faculty to determine equipment purchase priorities based on budget, condition of existing equipment, and scheduled laboratory activities. 
• The responsibilities include but not limited to: 1) implement statistical models to extract biological meanings from large-scale human cancer multi-omics data (TCGA, CPTAC, etc.) and generate hypotheses for experimental validation; 2) design and carry out both in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate the therapeutic targets predicted from bioinformatics approaches and from literature; 3) analyze data extracted from independently designed/implemented experiments to evaluate the gene functions in tumor progression and therapeutic responses; 4) design and implement new scientific protocols and procedures for breast cancer research; 5) independently write manuscript and publish the research data; 6) work with the PI to apply for extramural grants from national agencies or private foundations; 7) engage in collaborations with other biologists and clinicians by presenting data, writing summaries/reports and troubleshooting.
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree. Experience may not be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Three years of post doctoral research experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics or related areas is strongly preferred.  
• Must be highly motivated and passionate for pursuing scientific areas. 
• Experience in mouse genetics, histology, molecular and cellular biology.
• Experience with ex vivo models of metastasis will be a strong plus. 
• Must be a teamplayer and work well within a group. Cross-training and transparency among the admin team is encouraged and practiced.