Trainees in the Kwong lab will focus on cholangiocarcinoma, melanoma, and/or bladder cancer. Our work encompasses patient sample analysis, mouse work, cell culture, and basic biochemistry. Our main goals are to understand drug resistance and drug synergy, to identify novel upfront and second line therapies, primarily focusing on targeted and immune therapies. The fellow will work on projects that will validate a novel drug combination in bladder cancer, as well as creating a novel mouse model of cholangiocarcinoma. The drug combination will be tested in vivo in PDX models and its mechanism of action assessed in vitro and in vivo. The mouse model will combine advanced surgical techniques on the bile duct with novel CRISPR plasmid delivery.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The postdoctoral fellow position will be expected to:
learn many protocols including but not limited to: cell culture, western blot, immunohistochemistry, mouse husbandry, CRISPR gene knockout, drug assays, gene overexpression, DNA/RNA/protein extraction, patient clinical data retrieval, and basic bioinformatics. They will become independent researchers who can plan and execute entire projects with minimal guidance.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
An individual holding a recent (within three years) Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M.) in an appropriate field who is seeking a temporary appointment, under the supervision of a faculty mentor, involving full-time laboratory-based research or scholarship in preparation for an academic or research career as an independent investigator. This appointment is not part of a clinical training program; individuals holding an M.D. degree or equivalent are not permitted to engage in patient care activity

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
Translational Molecular Pathology Department web site:

POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson follows the NIH stipend levels as outlined by the Kirchstein - NRSA . This full-time trainee position will provide a salary between $56,484 to $68,604, dependent upon the years of postgraduate experience.

MD Anderson offers compensated trainees:
- Paid medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for trainees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
- Paid Education Vacation and Sick Leave
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave and other paid leave programs
- Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
- Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
- Health Savings Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement flexible spending accounts
- Fertility benefits
- State of Texas longevity pay
- Extensive wellness, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups