The Division of Cancer Treatment & Diagnosis (DCTD), National Cancer Institute is actively exploring drug molecular mechanisms in conjunction with tumor gene expression, mutation and protein profiling to pair the development of newer anticancer agents with specific molecular vulnerabilities in the precision oncology medicine setting. The Leidos Biomedical program in molecular pharmacology at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, NCI-Frederick campus, supports the Molecular Pharmacology Branch pursuit of this DCTD initiative in the Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP).

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Post Doctoral Fellow will:

• Play a key role in evaluating the associations between aMOIs, genes of interest, and drug responses in the context of targeted clinical trials using cancer cell lines, Patient Derived Xenografts (PDX) lines and organoid cultures, by applying several molecular biology techniques to achieve gene modulation
• Execute experimental procedures according to project plans and as agreed with the Laboratory Head
• Perform knock-down (using siRNA and shRNA) as well over-expression experiments to evaluate the impact of genes of interest in the sensitivity or resistant to drug treatment

Qualifications:

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of a Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in a field related to pharmacology, molecular pharmacology, experimental therapeutics, cancer therapy or drug development. Foreign degrees will be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• No additional experience required for candidates with a Doctoral degree
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Experience in epigenetics
• Experience applying molecular biological techniques including gene editing methodologies to the resolution of cancer drug mechanism of action questions
• Expertise using gene expression/mutations profiles to identify genes, proteins and pathways that determine drug sensitivity

Expected Competencies:

• The candidate must have practical experience with basic molecular and cellular biology techniques including PCR cloning, mutagenesis, transient and stable expression methodologies and si/shRNA mediated gene knockdown
• Ability to effectively interpret experimental data and sufficient experience with molecular pharmacology and its methodologies to determine compounds mechanisms of action are required
• Must have a thorough understanding of genetics, genomics and gene regulation
• Experience with viral expression systems is required