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Postdoctoral Fellow - Chemical Biology
We seek a highly motivated and technically skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to develop, optimize, and deploy biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays to support target-based drug discovery programs. Being trained at the intersection between data science, genomic medicine, and drug discovery. This position will focus on establishing robust, reproducible assays suitable for compound screening and mechanism-of-action studies across multiple novel target proteins and classes.
The primary research focus is to design, implement, and optimize biochemical, biophysical, and cellular assays incorporating diverse assay modalities. The goal is developing rapid readouts on novel targets to inform the discovery of drugs for hard-to-treat cancers as informed by data science analytics, and contribute to the development of innovative, agentic lab automation pipelines.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Gain hands-on experience at the bleeding-edge interface between drug discovery, chemical biology and data science. Develop skills in the development, optimization, and validation of biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays in a drug discovery setting with iterative input from novel AI tools. Develop a deep understanding of assay design principles, mechanism-of-action studies, and structure-activity relationships.
Build expertise in automated liquid handling and high-throughput or medium-throughput screening workflows, including data analysis, quality control, and interpretation. Learn to iteratively refine assays based on screening outcomes, biological insight, and computational feedback, and effectively communicate results to multidisciplinary teams and the broader scientific community through presentations and publications.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Individuals with a PhD in biophysics, biochemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, cell biology, or a related life science discipline are encouraged to apply. A strong background in assay development and experimental drug discovery is required. Demonstrated experience in the development of biochemical and biophysical assays for compound screening is required. Experience with cell-based assays and mammalian cell culture is strongly preferred. Familiarity with techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), TR-FRET, Fluorescence Polarization, enzymatic assays, and mass spectrometry-based assay methodologies is desirable. Successful candidates will demonstrate a collaborative attitude and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential in this role to share this work with the broader drug discovery community through published articles and presentations.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
The appointment is immediately available. Appointee is expected to work forty hours per week.
This position reports to Dr. Bissan Al-Lazikani in Genomic Medicine with direct support and mentorship from Dr. Rebecca Soares in the Institute for Applied Cancer Sciences.
Interested applicants should send a Cover Letter specifying past research experience/skills/accomplishments, a Curriculum Vitae and the contact information of three (3) references to Dr. Rebecca Soares at RLJohnson6@mdanderson.org with the subject line entitled "Postdoctoral Fellow - Application - Applicant's Name".
POSITION INFORMATION
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html