How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Castro/Lowenstein Laboratory within the Department of Neurosurgery is accepting applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship position funded by NIH.  The successful candidate will join an exciting and productive research team focused on elucidating the molecular and physical basis of brain tumor growth, invasion and the response to novel therapeutics.  The project will study the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in tumor progression; the role of the extracellular matrix in tumor growth and invasion; the formation and function of oncostreams as described in a recent publication (see below); and the molecular mechanisms which mediate in vivo migration of immune cells into the tumor micro-environment.  The project will also utilize state-of-the-art ?omics? technologies such as Single Cell RNASeq, ChIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, as well as advanced Bioinformatics. The project has a strong translational component focusing on the development and implementation of novel therapeutic approaches in human clinical trials for brain cancer; these include gene therapy strategies, small molecules, and nano-technologies. The lab is utilizing novel gene therapy and combination therapies and exploring ways to translate the research into novel Phase I clinical trials for GBM.

Adler F.R. et al., Modeling collective cell behavior in cancer: Perspectives from an interdisciplinary conversation. Cell Systems 2023 Apr 19;14(4):252-257. doi: 10.1016/j.cels.2023.03.002. PMID: 37080161 

Comba A.C. et al., Spatiotemporal analysis of glioma heterogeneity reveals COL1A1 as an actionable target to disrupt tumor progression. Nature Communications 2022 Jun 24;13(1):3606. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-31340-1. PMID: 35750880

Wood K. et al. Scale-free correlations and potential criticality in weakly ordered populations of brain cancer cells. Science Advances (2023, In Press).

Alghamri M.S. et al. G-CSF secreted by mutant IDH1 glioma stem cells abolishes myeloid cell immunosuppression and enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy. Science Advances 2021 Oct;7(40):eabh3243. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abh3243. Epub 2021 Sep 29. PMID: 34586841

Nunez F.J. et al. IDH1-R132H acts as a tumor suppressor in glioma via epigenetic up-regulation of the DNA damage response. Science Translational Medicine. 2019 Feb 13;11(479):eaaq1427. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaq1427. PMID: 30760578

Koschmann C. et al.  ATRX loss promotes tumor growth and impairs nonhomologous end joining DNA repair in glioma. Science Translational Medicine. 2016 Mar 2;8(328):328ra28. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aac8228. PMID: 26936505

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Required Qualifications*

• PhD in a recognized field of science related to the position, potentially supplemented by at least 2 years of experience in a research setting relevant to the position
• A strong work ethic
• The ability to work independently combined with a willingness to work in a highly interactive and collegial group. 
• The applicant is expected to provide significant input into the development of experiments, procedures and research design as well as to assist the principal investigator in determining research goals. 
• Excellent decision making and the ability to assume a substantial portion of the research project work are a must. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• The ability to conduct experiments independently or with supervision;
• A broad spectrum of laboratory techniques, such as basic molecular biology, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, in vivo 2-photon microscopy, immunological techniques, flow cytometry, scRNA seq, ChipSeq, proteomics and bioinformatics.
• The selected candidate will be responsible for accurate scientific research and documentation of results in addition to evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of data.  Presentation of data at lab meetings will be required. 
• Preparation of posters, abstracts, papers and reviews will also be required. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator and Endnote or similar programs is required.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Vaccine Requirements

COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty and staff working in the following areas: Michigan Medicine including the Medical School, Dental School, University Health Service or the Mary A. Rackham Institute.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.