Career Center

Department Overview

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, known as one of the pioneers in personalized cancer medicine, is an international leader in research and cancer treatment. Driven by its mission to end cancer as we know it, the institute is building upon its expertise in targeted treatments to advance the early detection of cancer when the disease is most treatable.

An exciting opportunity has been created for an experienced researcher to join Dr. Theodore Braun's laboratory as a Postdoctoral Scholar at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.

The primary goal of the Braun Laboratory is to understand how changes in the epigenome influence the development of blood cancers. We employ a variety of high sensitivity and single cell methods to understand how early oncogenic mutations alter the epigenetic landscape of developing blood cells driving progression to cancer. We conduct this work using cell lines, mouse models and primary patient samples, enabling us to develop a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of biologic mechanisms.

Function/Duties of Position

This position is funded by a collaborative grant from the Alliance for Early Cancer Detection with researchers from the University of Cambridge to study the biology of clonal hematopoiesis (CH), a pre-leukemic condition which occurs in up to 20% of the aging population. The goal of this work is to identify new treatment approaches for individuals with high-risk CH that might serve as the basis for a preventative strategy. These studies will include high-throughput drug screening; in vitro validation of candidate drugs in cell lines with CH mutations and in vivo validation in CH mouse models. As many CH mutations act via alterations in the epigenome, single cell and high sensitivity epigenetic studies will also be performed.

Additional duties will include molecular biology and biochemistry research techniques, flow cytometry, NGS library preparation, mammalian tissue culture, small animal handling, data analysis, and other laboratory techniques. We are particularly interested in candidates who are adept with molecular genomic techniques and mouse leukemia models. Applicants will need to possess strong organizational and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently. Some weekend work is required.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is capable and willing to make maximum use of excellent facilities and a productive environment.

Duties will include:

1. Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles:

• We act BOLDLY--Breakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
• We SUPPORT each other--Respect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
• We work as a CONNECTED team -- We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone

2. Highly specialized lab-based research

3. Data analytics

4. Manuscript and Grant preparation

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Ph.D. in related field
• Experience in molecular/cellular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology or a related field is preferred

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks at one time
• Must have excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills: both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems.
• Must be proficient with computers running Windows and applications e.g. MS Excel, Oracle, Access, Word and PowerPoint)
• Must possess energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships
• Capable of analyzing data and writing up results into appropriate manuscript form.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Expertise in high-throughput screening
• Experience with genomics methods including single cell genomics
• Expertise with mouse leukemia models (genetic or PDX)

Additional Details

Please submit a resume and cover letter for your application to be considered.

Please note: As of Oct. 18, 2021, all OHSU employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated means you have received both doses of a two-dose, or one dose of a single-dose, FDA- or WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccine and at least 14 days have passed since your final dose of COVID-19 vaccine. If you apply for and are offered a position, you must be fully vaccinated prior to starting work.

If the position you are offered does not require direct, in-person patient care contact, you may request an exception to the vaccine policy for medical or religious reasons. OHSU uses very narrow criteria under the law to allow an exception and very few requests are being approved.

All are welcome