Postdoctoral Scholar

Department: MED-Urology
Salary/Grade: RES/

A post-doctoral position is available immediately at Northwestern University in Chicago. We are seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated applicants holding or about to obtain a Ph.D. degree. Applicants must have a strong interest in translational research. Experience in cancer research will be an advantage. The selected candidate will work on the genetic, epigenetic, and immune mechanisms of cancer biology and epigenetic-based therapies in bladder cancer.

Minimum qualifications include a strong desire for independent research, collaboration, and curiosity. Preferred qualifications include experience in bioinformatics (R, python). Prospective candidates will have the opportunity to submit publications and gain access to human trial specimens that will contribute to the next generation of therapies. In addition, Northwestern University offers an extraordinarily stimulating and nourishing academic environment with rich resources to facilitate career development for young scientists. Successful candidates will be responsible for study design, execution, and data analysis. Applicants should have experience effectively communicating data and conclusions in both written and oral form. The fellow has opportunities for manuscript preparation and presentations at national meetings.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. in a relevant field with a record of publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• Ability to problem-solve and think critically.
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Knowledge of cancer biology, gene regulation, epigenetics, and/or computational biology is preferred but not required;
• Experience in cell culture, transcriptional analyses, and functional genomics is preferred but not required.

What we offer: Our international team provides an open, supportive, dynamic, and motivating academic environment with excellent training opportunities with the possibility to work on cutting-edge and novel translational research projects. We use a broad spectrum of methods: biochemistry, cloning, cell culture, qRT-PCR, FACS, ELISA, cell-based assays (proliferation, apoptosis, migration, 3D invasion, organoid culture, shRNA and CRISPR screens, proteomics, transactivation assays, virally-based gene delivery, RNAi and CRISPR silencing, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, light, epifluorescence, and confocal microscopy, image analysis, next generation sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, single-cell RNA-seq, bioinformatic analysis, animal models and in vivo tumor models as well as tumor biopsies. In addition, we invest in your career development fostering critical research skills, scientific writing, and editing. Potential for training grant and independent funding depending on qualifications. We are seeking fellows for three years of training.

Sample publications include:

Immune activation is essential for the antitumor activity of EZH2 inhibition in urothelial carcinoma. Piunti A, Meghani K, Yu Y, Robertson AG, Podojil JR, McLaughlin KA, You Z, Fantini D, Chiang M, Luo Y, Wang L, Heyen N, Qian J, Miller SD, Shilatifard A, Meeks JJ. Sci Adv. 2022 Oct 7;8(40):eabo8043. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abo8043. Epub 2022 Oct 5.PMID: 36197969

First-in-human Intravesical Delivery of Pembrolizumab Identifies Immune Activation in Bladder Cancer Unresponsive to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

Meghani K, Cooley LF, Choy B, Kocherginsky M, Swaminathan S, Munir SS, Svatek RS, Kuzel T, Meeks JJ.Eur Urol. 2022 Dec;82(6):602-610. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2022.08.004. Epub 2022 Aug 23.

An example specific research projects associated with this fellowship include:

1) What mutations and expression changes drive bladder cancer development?

2) What are the spatial and immune regulatory changes in bladder cancer?

3) How do environmental carcinogens result in the development of bladder cancer?

4) Does bladder cancer develop differently in males and females?

Who we are:

Our laboratory uses bladder cancer as a model system for solid-tumor biology to investigate tumor development, epigenetic mechanisms, and the immune response to cancer. The lab's primary focus is related to 1) how histone modification affects tumor aggressiveness and is therapeutically targetable, and 2) How does epigenetics affect immune response? Our overall goal is to improve outcomes for patients with urologic cancers by focusing on the development and translational application of novel therapeutics.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

Please send your cover letter, CV, and names of three references to Dr. Joshua Meeks at joshua.meeks@northwestern.edu.

The laboratory website is: www.meekslab.org

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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