Postdoctoral Researcher

Medical College of Wisconsin

parental leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, 403(b)

United States, Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Dec 30, 2024

Position Description:

Every great life-changing discovery begins the same way-with new knowledge. It can change everything, from a single life to the future of entire communities. That's why academic medicine, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge, is at the center of everything we do at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).

Are you ready to unravel the mysteries of human genetics? The Urrutia laboratory offers a unique opportunity to join a cutting-edge research team dedicated to understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlying rare diseases, rare cancers, complex conditions, and basic cellular biology. By exploring the intricate interplay between genetics and epigenetics, we aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets and revolutionize the treatment landscape for patients in need. If you're passionate about scientific discovery, driven by curiosity, and eager to make a tangible impact on human health, we invite you to join us in this groundbreaking endeavor.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow interested in basic and translational epigenomics research . The successful candidate will have a strong publication record and excellent references from PhD or postdoctoral research experience. They will be proficient in basic molecular biology research methods, experienced in cell culture, and capable to analyze their data (e.g., baseline RNA-Seq visualization and interpretation). We expect them to lead the implementation of our NIH-funded studies focused on molecular and cellular mechanisms of epigenomic complexes that drive cellular identities, cancer development and progression, and inflammatory diseases. The successful candidate will be encouraged to present at national and international scientific conferences and to apply for independent funding. As such, they should be highly motivated, self-directed, and possess excellent communication and writing skills.

Primary Functions

Independently plan, design, and execute complex research studies, procedures, and protocols.
Participate, lead, and manage discovery projects.
Create, organize, and maintain accurate and timely records of experimental results, providing information for evaluation and specific recommendations or troubleshooting suggestions related to the direction of the research.
Actively participate in lab meetings to aid in interpretation of data, development of methodologies, and evaluation of lab procedures.

Learn and utilize bioinformatics tools and visualization packages to analyze and consider global biological effects to genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic changes in a variety of NGS datasets

Prepare first drafts of research proposals and first author manuscripts.
Lead, mentor, and guide technicians, junior graduate students, and undergraduate students in the organization, performance, and analysis of data.
Collaborate and work efficiently in a team setting by actively participating in department seminars, meetings, journal clubs, and team building exercises.
Review scientific literature weekly to find new relevant material.
Present scientific findings (oral and/or poster) at local, national, and international meetings.
Apply to competitive independent funding opportunities.
Effectively communicate with other lab members through email and personal interactions.
Develop original scientific ideas and ideate important research questions to pursue within the confines the lab's funded research areas.
Follow best laboratory practices and seek to improve current practices/methodology.

Every day, in ways both big and small, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is impacting lives for the better. MCW ... changemaking for a healthier Wisconsin. In the role of a Postdoctoral Researcher you will be working in Surgery.

Purpose

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), a postdoc is an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored advanced research training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue his or her chosen career path. In addition, according to the National Postdoc Association (NPA), Postdoctoral appointees can pursue basic, clinical or translational projects so long as their primary effort is devoted toward their own scholarship. Postdocs are essential to the scholarly mission of the mentor and host institution, and thus are expected to have the freedom to publish the results of their scholarship.

Characteristics of a postdoctoral appointment:

It is expected that postdocs at MCW, with the assistance of their supervisor, will:
Transition to career independence through the development of professional skills that enable the postdoc to actively pursue a career of his/her own choosing.
Be supervised by at least one senior scholar who actively promotes the postdoc's professional development.
Establish an individual development plan (IDP) that incorporates equally the postdoc's career and training goals and the mentor's research goals.
Pursue basic, clinical, or translational projects so long as effort is focused primarily on research.
Publish results of the postdoc's research and scholarship during their appointment.
The postdoctoral appointment is temporary by nature, the aggregate amount of time spent as a postdoc is recommended to not exceed five years (not including family medical leave or maternity/paternity leave).
As postdocs are important members of the host institution's community, appropriate levels of compensation, health care, and other benefits commensurate with their essential status should be afforded, independent of the postdoc's source of funding.

Primary Functions

Plan, design and execute complex research studies, procedures and protocols.

Participate in discovery projects.
Coordinate research study activities; lead and manage projects.
Oversee organization, synthesis and analysis of data and findings.
Prepare scientific reports, outcome findings and scientific manuscripts.
Participate in meetings with principle investigator and research staff in which you will evaluate/interpret the validity of data, develop methodologies, and design and evaluate lab procedures.
Maintain supplies, may require negotiation with vendors, and track purchase orders.
May oversee the work of laboratory personnel including training and development as well as daily work direction, delegation and establishing priorities.

Lab specific details: The Seo lab will be focused on studying the pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumor immune microenvironment, with particular interest in utilizing ex vivo organotypic tumor models of human tissue for live testing of novel therapeutics. In addition, we will leverage the robust Surgical Oncology Tissue Bank, which houses thousands of patient samples (both blood/sera and resection specimen) that is accompanied by carefully curated clinicopathologic outcomes database. Novel -omic approaches (such as single cell long-read RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics) will be utilized to ask nuanced questions about determinants of outcome after therapy and resection.

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities
Required knowledge: proficiency in basic molecular biology research methods and cell culture; knowledge of cancer biology, cell biology, mathematics, statistics, data analysis, data utilization, and resource management; skills in scientific writing. Experience in epigenetics, biochemistry, and/or mouse models, especially cancer-related, would be an asset. Candidate must have strong motivation, team player attitude, and strong ability to design, organize, and coordinate scientific research projects. In addition, candidate must have previous laboratory experience including sound scientific practice in research, methodology development and accurate laboratory techniques, and the ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures. Exceptional candidates will have interest and experience in multi-'Omic analyses and programming. Excellent communication skills, record keeping, and the ability to present key data to other members of the team and collaborators is mandatory. Self-motivation and the ability to think independently and critically for complex problem solving is crucial.

Preferred Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8:00-5:00

Position Requirements:

Specifications

Minimum Required Education: PhD in a biomedical field

Minimum Required Experience: Documented skill set in molecular biology, cell culture; proven record of productivity evidenced by publications

Preferred Experience: Working with pathogens at BSL-2/2+ level, rodent husbandry and procedures, multi-'Omics analysis and programing

Field: Cancer Biology, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, epigenomics or related field

Why MCW?

Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
403B Retirement Package
Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Parental Leave
Pet Insurance
On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a full list of positions see: www.mcw.edu/careers

For a brief overview of our benefits see: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits

Eastern Wisconsin is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area. MCW is intent on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the community we serve. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, thought, and perspectives to advance excellence in science and medicine. MCW is a welcoming campus community with a strong culture of collaboration, partnership, and engagement with our surrounding community. For more information, please visit our institutional website at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.