Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Therapeutic Resistance, Tumor Dormancy and Metastasis

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit, unified adult cancer care and research center that is clinically integrated with UW Medicine, a world leader in clinical care, research and learning. The first National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Pacific Northwest, Fred Hutch’s global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy, and COVID-19 vaccines has confirmed our reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy, and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

 

The Ghajar Lab at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is searching for a postdoctoral fellow to lead cutting edge studies to understand how quiescent stromal cells within the microenvironment of dormant, disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) respond to therapeutic selection pressures, and how these adaptations may – paradoxically – promote DTC survival directly (e.g., receptor tyrosine kinase signaling) and indirectly (e.g., immune sculpting).

A postdoctoral fellow position (full-time) is available immediately within The Laboratory for the Study of Metastatic Microenvironments (LSM²). Led by Cyrus Ghajar, the LSM² focuses on understanding the biology underlying DTC dormancy and formulating therapeutic means to eradicate dormant DTCs. We are searching for a stellar candidate to fill a NCI R01-funded slot who is not only capable, but passionate about understanding the means by which dormant DTCs evade chemotherapy.

 

Our lab has identified signaling mechanisms within the vascular niche that protect dormant DTCs from cytotoxic therapy (see: Carlson et al., Nature Cell Biology 2019; Shor et al., Molecular Oncology 2022). We now want to embark on studies to elaborate upon an additional mechanism of resistance we’ve discovered: chemotherapy-mediated evolution of the vascular niche that may, paradoxically, drive therapeutic resistance even further. The successful candidate will be expected to drive studies aiming to understand and enumerate this phenomenon using a combination of imaging, functional genomics, and bioinformatic approaches across models (murine, cell culture, human patient specimens).

A candidate with extensive expertise in functional genomics is desired, as is a passion to leverage these approaches to understand DTC therapeutic resistance.

 Requirements for this position include:

1. A Ph.D. in genome sciences, cell biology, biochemistry, bioengineering or a related field, with extensive wet lab experience.
2. A strong publication record with at least one first author publication from graduate studies.
3. A desire to apply for extramural funding (e.g., postdoctoral fellowships).

 

The ideal candidate will be passionate about: (i) developing their own research strategy to answer the above questions utilizing an array of innovative models and sophisticated approaches, and (ii) contributing positively to a creative, collaborative and bustling laboratory environment. 

 

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations.
As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment. 

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

 

The annual base salary range for this position is from $65,484.00 to $100,000.00 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications. This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

 

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks). 

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.