Contract Lead Translator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department
BSD RAO - Research Staff
About the Department
The Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology at The University of Chicago is renowned for advancing the field of radiation oncology through pioneering new clinical approaches, the use of cutting-edge technologies, and impactful translational research. Our distinguished and diverse team of physicians, scientists, and physicists collaboratively provide exceptional patient care while driving scientific discoveries that shape the future of cancer treatment.
This research laboratory investigates how radiotherapy interacts with the tumor immune microenvironment to influence tumor progression and metastasis. Our goal is to identify mechanisms of treatment resistance and develop novel strategies to enhance therapeutic responses in solid tumors.
Job Summary
The Staff Scientist will lead translational research focused on tumor metastasis, anti-tumor immune responses to radiation, and the enhancement of cancer therapy efficacy. This laboratory-based role involves working with murine and human-derived biological specimens under institutional biosafety, animal care, and human subjects protocols.
The position includes supervising laboratory technicians and trainees and contributing to the development and execution of grant applications in immunology and radiotherapy. Projects integrate tumor immunology, RNA biology, radiation biology, and translational studies using both preclinical models and patient-derived samples.
This leadership role is ideal for a scientist passionate about advancing cancer research through innovative translational approaches and collaborative team science.
This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding, which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.
Responsibilities

• Designs and performs in vivo tumor experiments, including radiotherapy treatment, immunotherapy combinations, and metastasis assays using murine models.
• Conducts multiparameter flow cytometry and cell sorting to characterize immune populations in tumors, lymphoid organs, and metastatic sites.
• Processes and analyzes patient-derived tumor and blood samples in collaboration with clinical teams, following IRB and biosafety protocols.
• Performs molecular and cellular assays, including RNA and protein analysis, functional immune assays, and imaging-based techniques as needed.
• Analyzes and interprets large-scale datasets, including collecting bulk and single-cell sequencing data, with support from bioinformatics resources when appropriate.
• Develops, optimizes, and maintains experimental protocols and standard operating procedures for complex assays.
• Provides technical training and scientific guidance to research technicians, students, and postdoctoral fellows.
• Contributes to data presentation, figure preparation, manuscript drafting, and grant application materials.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
• Trains new laboratory personnel.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:

• PhD in cell biology, immunology, cancer biology, radiation biology, or a related biomedical field.

Experience:

• Experience and knowledge in tumor immunology, multicolor flow cytometry, and molecular techniques, including RNA seq and single-cell RNA seq.
• Experience in protein biology and molecular techniques, particularly in RNA modification and RNA biology.
• Experience in murine orthotopic tumor models and human translational studies. Experience in small animal CT imaging and CT-guided irradiation.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to interact and communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy with patrons, patients, staff, faculty, students, and others.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong data management skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Suite, including Outlook.
• Ability to understand complex documents (e.g., clinical trials).
• Ability to handle competing demands with diplomacy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to absorb large amounts of information quickly.
• Adaptability to changing working situations and work assignments.

Working Conditions

• Ability to navigate the UChicago Campus as required by the Position.
• Laboratory environment.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Research
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
Yes
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$70,000.00 - $90,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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