"Postdoctoral Associate in Pediatrics"

Position Title

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: Medical Center
Requisition Number: 264160
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Date Posted: Dec 10, 2025

School Overview

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and globally.

Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Occupational Summary

We are looking for an energetic and motivated individual to join our childhood cancer translational research team. We study a pediatric skeletal muscle solid tumor called rhabdomyosarcoma, and have a mandate by the NIH to inform new therapies for this difficult-to-treat disease. Focus is on understanding how corrupt coding and non-coding (“dark genome”) genes that are part of developmental signaling pathways (Notch, Hippo) support tumorigenesis and might reveal novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. Every project incorporates the evaluation of novel pharmacologic agents to shepherd to early phase clinical trials.

We collaborate with investigators intramurally (Duke Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering), and extramurally nationally and internationally. Being independent and able to interface with multiple work groups is critical. We use biochemical, proteomic, cell biology, molecular biology, genomic, epigenomic, and mouse model approaches and collaborate with groups using artificial intelligence approaches and next-gen chemistry. We value teamwork, creativity, resilience, and patient advocacy. A two-year commitment (or beyond) is preferred.

Lab website: https://sites.duke.edu/corinnelinardiclab/

Work Performed / Responsibilities

• Perform literature reviews to guide research
• Design and execution of standard in vitro assays (transient or stable expression of cDNA/shRNAs/CRISPR, mutagenesis, IPs, immunoblotting, nucleic acid extractions, PCR, phenotype-based cell assays including proliferation, apoptosis, myogenic differentiation, etc.)
• Design and implementation of in vitro and in vivo ‘omics screens, with input from Duke Functional Genomics, Sequencing, and Proteomics cores
• Participation in in vivo murine pre-clinical studies (SQ and orthotopic xenografts) and tumor tissue analyses including immunohistochemistry and preparation for NGS
• Application of statistically sound analyses
• Participation in drafting of LOIs, grant applications, abstracts, posters, and manuscripts
• Participation and presentation in domestic/international childhood cancer think tank meetings
• Functioning as a resource for early stage scientists (graduate students and technicians)
• Applying creative and independent thinking to advance research on this difficult-to-cure cancer

Required Qualifications

• PhD (or doctoral degree equivalent) in Biochemistry, Genetics, or Cell/Molecular Biology with a record of publication in peer-reviewed journals (preferred). Candidates with expertise in cancer biology are encouraged to apply
• Ability to perform molecular and cellular protocols including nucleic acid isolation, qPCR, cloning, mutagenesis, cell culture, protein lysate generation, immunoblot, and lentiviral-based protocols
• Willingness to learn mouse protocols for cancer research
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent self-motivation, organizational skills, creativity, and ability to work independently and in a team

How to Apply

Candidates with a PhD, MD, or MD-PhD degree and a minimum of one first-author publication should send their CV, a brief letter of research interest, and three references to:

Corinne Linardic, MD PhD
Email: corinne.linardic@duke.edu