A postdoctoral Fellow position is available in the Department of Urology. The Milward lab is focused on generating rare cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) animal models. We characterize these models and compare them to the original patient tumor tissue they were derived from. In addition, we determine the efficacy of different therapeutics in the PDX models. We pair our findings with patient tumor samples by generating tumor tissue microarrays (TMA) and using these TMAs in multiplex IHC, IHC, and with platforms such as mass spectrometry imaging and spatial transcriptomics. We work closely with physicians to discover biomarkers and novel therapies for rare urological cancers.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Exercises considerable imagination initiative and inventiveness in planning and executing the details of experiments, and in evaluating and interpreting the results.

2. Plans and executes mouse experiments. Skills such performing oral gavage; ability to perform subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal injections; and measure tumor volumes using calipers will be used in the position. At the end of the experiment, uses tumor tissue for correlative studies such as genomics, transcriptomics, or proteomics analysis.

3. Reads literature and confers with principal investigator regarding new procedures and modifies them according to the needs of the projects. Records and evaluates data obtained in accordance with method requested.

4. Maintain meticulous records of experimental data and protocols. Enters data into electronic notebook and uses Excel or similar software to analyze data.

5. The ability to write manuscripts and present data.

6. Generates single cell suspensions from mouse and patient tissue for sequencing and creation of immortalized cancer cell lines.

7. Ability to perform high level molecular biology experiments such as Western blotting, PCR, QT-PCR, stable transfection, and CRISPR/Cas9 editing.

8. Works will with lab manager, other postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and clinical fellows. Presents data to the team in an organized manner.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

PhD with major course work in one of the basic sciences (Biology, Cancer Biology) or MD with pathology or preclinical experience.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION

Publications related to the lab can be found

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1VseqQZY8bMQ5/bibliography/public/

POSITION INFORMATION

MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000 (https://trainees.mdanderson.org/apply/mdaPostdoctoralFellowStipendFY24.pdf) . depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits (https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/insurance-0/eligibility) , including medical, dental, paid time off (https://www.mdanderson.org/about-md-anderson/employee-resources/leave.html) , retirement (https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/ut-retirement-program/voluntary-retirement-programs) , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition04/01/2025