Announcement
Details
Open Date
07/01/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45527B
Job Title
Post Doc Res Assoc
Working Title
Post Doc Res Assoc
Career Progression Track
A00
Track Level
FLSA Code
Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
VP Area
President
Department
02155 - HCI Katie Basham Lab
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
20000 to 500000
Close Date
08/31/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The Basham Lab at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow interested in studying the intersection between aging and cancer in the adrenal gland. Aging is the strongest risk factor for cancer overall, yet the mechanisms linking aging to tumor development remain poorly defined. Our work focuses on adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare but aggressive cancer with peak incidence after age 50 and limited treatment options. We developed the first ACC mouse model that mirrors the age dependence of the human disease and found that age-associated tumors retain long-lived senescent adrenal cortex cells. Senescence, a hallmark of aging, was traditionally viewed as tumor-suppressive due to its prolonged growth arrest. However, recent evidence indicates that some senescent cells can become pro-tumorigenic, particularly when they persist long-term. This has important clinical implications given the widespread use of conventional chemotherapy agents that trigger therapy-induced senescence (TIS), including in ACC where the standard-of-care uses etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (EDP). Consequently, TIS may create reservoirs of tumor cells primed for recurrent growth, leading to worse patient outcomes long-term. To address this clinical problem, senolytic drugs that kill senescent cells could be repurposed for cancer therapy. Using a combination of in vivo models and patient-derived samples, our objectives are to determine how long-term senescent cells that accumulate with age promote adrenal tumor initiation and progression, and to develop senolytic strategies to exploit senescence as a therapeutic vulnerability in ACC. Please visit our website for further information about the lab (
www.bashamlab.com).
We are seeking a highly self-motivated Postdoctoral Fellow who is team-oriented and has a high degree of ethics. This position requires strong organizational skills, effective interpersonal communication, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced team environment.
Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to cancer prevention, care, and survivorship for all communities within the area we serve - which includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming - with impact worldwide.
In your cover letter or during your interview process, we invite you to share how your professional experiences have prepared you to serve as a member of our team as we work to reduce the cancer burden experienced by all people and communities. This may include description of your prior experiences related to research, prevention, clinical care, community engagement/outreach, training, administration, or other areas relevant to Huntsman Cancer Institute's mission and this position.
Responsibilities
The research fellow will be expected to design and conduct highly specialized experiments in order to independently advance their scientific project. This includes data analysis and interpretation, which requires high ethical integrity. Specific experimental approaches include, but are not limited to:
- Transgenic and transplant mouse models. Please note that the research fellow must be willing to work with animals.
- Cell culture, including the use of established cell lines and primary cell cultures.
- Genomics, including whole exome sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing.
- Histology and microscopy.
- Flow cytometry
- Molecular biology (PCR, cloning, ect.).
- Protein work (Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, ect).
The research fellow will be expected to summarize their findings for presentation at national/international research conferences and publication in scientific journals.
The research fellow will be expected to provide supervision and guidance to junior-level lab members and help foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Active participation in laboratory meetings.
- Training other lab members in specific techniques and experimental approaches.
- Providing constructive feedback on the written and oral presentations of other lab members.
The research fellow will be expected to apply for independent funding. Please note that the position is not contingent upon obtaining funding.
Minimum Qualifications
Preferences
- Recent doctoral degree (PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent).
- Strong background in cancer, cellular, and/or molecular biology, or a related discipline.
- A strong publication record.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with mouse models, especially cancer-related, is strongly preferred.
- Experience with advanced genomic approaches is preferred.
- Experience with molecular biology (PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning), cell biology (cell culture, microscopy) and histology (sectioning, immunohistochemistry) techniques is preferred.
- Experience with flow cytometry is preferred.
- Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and list of at least three references including contact information.
Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the:
University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at
https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per
University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.
