Cancer Radiation Biology Research- Assistant/Associate/Full Professor - Development of Novel Targeted Radiopharmaceutical Therapies for Solid Tumors
This position is a component of the University of Tennessee - Oak Ridge Innovation Institute's (UT-ORII) Development and Advancement of Radiopharmaceutical Therapies (DART) Convergent Research Initiative (CRI) residing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis with regular collaborations and visits to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The position's faculty appointment will be with UT-ORII at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
This position will be part of the DART team, which will include ~20 members who will develop novel alpha-emitting radionuclides that are targeted to tumor cells. The position will work in close collaboration with member investigators at UTHSC, ORNL, and UTK to address the molecular mechanisms of Cancer Stem-Like Cells (CSLC) against alpha particle radiation as well as tackle exciting challenges at the scientific frontier of cancer genomics. The primary focus of this new hire research faculty is to implement in vitro and in vivo models of novel targeted theranostics in collaboration with DART research projects. The applicant will be responsible for, proposal preparation, submission, and student mentoring at the graduate level. Four anchor investigators of the project will provide mentoring and necessary infrastructure to the hire. Applicants will be considered at all faculty ranks.
Responsibilities
- Mentor and train graduate students.
- Develop and lead research studies to understand the development of radiation cell killing and resistance of hard-to-treat cancers such as neuroendocrine tumors, ovarian cancer, glioblastoma etc., using patent-derived explant cell cultures, and tumorspheres.
- Develop preclinical murine models of hard-to-treat cancers to examine the efficacy of novel alpha-particle isotopes coupled via a chelator complex to a targeting antibody and/or nanoparticle conjugates.
- Explore the therapeutic benefits of targeted alpha-particle therapy in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
- Develop a strong collaboration with the members of this CRI and investigators at the UTHSC Center for Cancer Research, cancer researchers at UTK Cancer Institute, and ORNL.
- Develop applications for extramural funding.
- Prepare manuscripts and present research at relevant conferences, including not limited to: cancer genomics, bioinformatics, and the CRI and UT-ORII meetings.
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD in molecular biology, radiation biology, biochemistry, or a related field.
- Documented experience by publications related to cancer radiation therapy and resistance to it.
- Strong experience building, tailoring, and deploying radiopharmacological analysis pipelines using widely available genomic analysis toolkits as well as experience managing large numbers of datasets.
- Strong communication skills and an ability to collaborate with other researchers and advise graduate students.
- Track record of relevant peer-reviewed publications
- This position requires the ability to be granted a site-access badge for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Departmental Preferences:
- Prior experience in large-scale, multidisciplinary research projects in cancer biology.
- Track record in developing strong proposals and securing funding.
- A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired, though an 'on-ramp' through collaboration with more senior investigators is also encouraged.
Application Instructions
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Applications must include:
- a letter of interest
- a comprehensive curriculum vitae
- a research plan
- a list of contact information for at least three professional references.
Additional Information About Position
- This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position.
- The appointment will be with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- The work location for this position is at the UTHSC Center for Cancer Research in Memphis, TN, and the position will be closely matrixed with lead investigators and collaborators at UTHSC in Memphis.
- The position will be implemented as an initial three-year contract with full salary support for the first year, followed by a gradual decrease in salary coverage such that the successful applicant will receive 50% salary support in year 5 (if renewed) and is expected to receive extramural funding by year 3 or earlier.
- The applicant will be expected to recruit multiple graduate students by year three.
- Continuation of the position will depend on the success of the hire and the team in attracting multi-year funding.
- A competitive startup package including support for PhD students and budget for equipment will be offered.
- Salary and title/rank will be determined commensurate with experience.
- Benefits will be typical of exempt employees at the University of Tennessee.
More About UTHSC
The mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is transforming lives through collaborative and inclusive education, research, scholarship, clinical care, and public service. With six colleges - Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy - at its main campus in Memphis, in addition to educational and clinical campuses at major hospitals in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, and sites across the state, UTHSC strives to fulfill its vision: Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities. For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu. For a comprehensive description of the UTHSC Center for Cancer Research please visit: https://www.uthsc.edu/cancer/cancer-research/. You can find the University of Tennessee Health Science Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube
More About UT-ORII
The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was launched by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021, in response to America's need for a stronger pool of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and increasingly life science talent.
UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL's best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary graduate education; and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute's current research areas include Clean Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, Energy Storage and Transportation, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies, and Circular Bioeconomy Systems. To learn more about UT-ORII visit utorii.com
More About ORNL
Leveraging the talents of its world-class researchers and exceptional support staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is helping solve critical scientific and technical challenges and, in so doing, creating economic opportunity for the nation.
ORNL provides access to unique facilities, laboratories, and equipment, drawing thousands of visiting researchers each year.
