Post Doctoral Associate

The overall goal of the Choi Lab is to uncover cellular mechanisms that can improve response to radiotherapy for patients with brain tumors. The focus of the laboratory is to understand how targeting glucose transport can alter the response to radiotherapy (including effects on tumor metabolism and immune dysregulation) for brain metastases and glioblastoma.

Job Responsibilities:

• Adherence to standards of responsible conduct in research.

• Compliance with good scholarly and research practice.

• Design and perform experiments in genomics, metabolomics, molecular pharmacology, cell biology, and biochemistry.

• Perform cytotoxicity and clonogenic assays in vitro to evaluate the effects of drugs and genetic modifications on the radiation sensitivity of cell lines.

• Care for laboratory mice, including breeding and providing supportive care.

• Develop and optimize radiation and drug treatment plans for brain tumor and metastases mouse models and normal tissue radiation toxicity experiments.

• Design and perform in vivo mouse imaging experiments.

• Organize overall research plan and design, execute, and troubleshoot individual experiments.

• Contribute to a supportive and collaborative work environment and demonstrate respectful communication

• Teach laboratory techniques and scientific methodology to research technicians and other trainees.

• Assistance building the laboratory program, including ordering equipment and reagents.

• Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; and calling for repairs.

• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by complying with regulations and following standards and procedures.

• Maintain an organized and complete laboratory notebook detailing all experiments in electronic format.

• Meet with PI regularly and keep PI informed of all important positive and negative results.

• Present work in progress in lab meetings.

• Prepare manuscripts for scientific publication with PI supervision.

• Assist with the preparation of grant applications.

• Protect the lab and organization's value by keeping research information confidential.

• Participating in educational opportunities, networking, and presenting at local, national, and international meetings

• Staying up to date with current primary research literature.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Holds a PhD or MD/PhD (or equivalent degree) in biomedical sciences or physics

o A candidate may also be appointed to a postdoctoral position if the candidate has completed all of the requirements for a degree but the degree has not been formally conferred: in this case, the candidate must present evidence of completion of the degree requirements, together with a statement documenting the date on which the degree is to be conferred. If the degree is not conferred by this projected date, the postdoctoral appointment may be terminated.

o Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency.

• Passion for biomedical research and team science

• Track record of scientific productivity (publications)

• Ability to work independently. Self-motivated and proactive.

• Ability to work as a team with senior scientists, graduate students, technicians, medical students, resident physicians

• Experience with cell culture

• Experience working with mouse models is preferred

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.