"Post-Doctoral Fellow - School of Medicine, Neurosurgery"

Position Summary

A Postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Inan Olmez’s Lab at the Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Inan Olmez and his team study the biology of brain metastasis from lung and breast cancers and glioblastoma stem cells and aim to develop novel strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance. The PI, Dr. Olmez, has recently published high-quality research articles on glioblastoma in high-impact journals including Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, and NeuroOncology. The Olmez lab also has access to all the shared resources to assist with experiments, including but not limited to Biostatistics, Microscopy, Pathology, Medicinal Chemistry, Genomics and Proteomics.

Multiple projects are available according to the expertise of the researchers.

The researchers will work on a variety of projects related to the mechanism of brain metastasis from breast and lung cancers and energy metabolism in glioblastoma. Some of the projects include:

1. The interaction between neurons in the brain and metastatic cancer cells
2. The immune regulation in Glioblastoma
3. The role of exosomes in tumor resistance and brain metastasis
4. Regulation of energy metabolism in glioblastoma
5. The role of metabolic reprogramming in brain metastasis from breast and lung cancers

Core Responsibilities

• Specific focus on identifying novel resistance pathways and therapeutic targets with particular attention to energy metabolism and tumor-microenvironment interactions.
• Will work on primary human GBM and other cancer cell lines, PDX models, brain metastasis models, and intracranial xenograft mouse models.
• Adopting, implementing and developing laboratory methods.
• Will participate in grant writing and train staff in basic and advanced laboratory techniques.

Minimum Hiring Standards

• PhD and/or MD degree in biomedical sciences required.
• Familiar with immunofluorescence microscopy, cell culturing, IHC, protein biochemistry & molecular biology technique, and mouse studies.
• Demonstrates strong proficiency in computer software applications, including databases, spreadsheets, and word processing tools.
• Demonstrates high levels of motivation, creativity, independence, and a strong work ethic.
• Maintains excellent organizational skills and can effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Possesses outstanding communication and writing abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Neuroscience and immunology experience preferred.
• Previous experience in brain tumor, metastasis, and neuroscience research preferred.
• Experience in Cancer Biology preferred.

Salary Range

$62,500 - $65,000 (commensurate with experience)

FLSA Exemption Status

Exempt

ORP Eligible

No

Flexible Work Arrangement

Hybrid

Rank

Non Faculty

Contact Information

Contact Name: Kelly Barnes
Contact Email: Kelly.Cecil@vcuhealth.org