Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Tumor Dormancy & Metabolism

Overview

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

 

A laboratory in Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s Translational Research Program (Public Health Sciences Division) is looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to study the metabolism of dormant, disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). The candidate would join the Laboratory for the Study of Metastatic Microenvironments (LSM2), directed by Cyrus Ghajar. The LSM2 focuses on understanding the biology underlying DTC dormancy (see: Carlson et al., Nature Cell Biology 2019; Goddard et al., Nature Cell Biology 2018; Ghajar et al., Nature Cell Biology 2013) and uncovering means to eradicate dormant DTCs. Our overarching goal is to develop therapeutically viable approaches to prevent breast cancer metastasis.  

Responsibilities

The candidate will spearhead a project with the goals of:

• Measuring the metabolic state of dormant disseminated breast cancer cells across tissues
• Determining whether DTCs face common or tissue-specific bottlenecks as they colonize distant sites (eg, brain, lung, bone marrow/bone, liver)
• Understanding, developing, and trialing therapies exploiting potential metabolic vulnerabilities of dormant DTCs with the goal of preventing breast cancer metastasis

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be able to take advantage of a resource-rich environment to develop an innovative and comprehensive strategy to understand metabolic requirements of DTCs, spanning dormancy, micrometastases, and metastatic colonization. They will be expected to take advantage of unique resources, including human specimens derived from rapid autopsy, immune-competent animal models, and organotypic culture.

 

An interest and passion in developing curative approaches for metastasis is required. A strong publication record and eligibility and desire to apply for future fellowships are also required. A Ph.D. and demonstrated expertise in metabolism (whether physiologic or pathologic/cancer) is absolutely desired. The candidate must also be experienced in essential techniques to characterize and report on metabolism of a given cell. A candidate with experience in live cell imaging, bioinformatics (e.g., analysis of metabolomic data), and/or experience working in murine tumor or metastasis models is strongly desired.

 

The successful candidate will contribute positively to our lab’s environment. They must have excellent communication and organizational skills, the ability to develop creative approaches to experimental design, and thrive both in independent research and while working collaboratively.

 

 

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment. 

 

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.