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Post-Doctoral Associate (SCCC - Urology)

University of Miami

Job Description


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The Desai Sethi Urology Institute has an exciting opportunity for a Full-time Post Doctoral Associate to work on the UHealth campus. The Post Doctoral Associate performs scientific research and studies under the supervision of managing staff. Moreover, the Post Doctoral Associate promotes institutional recognition through literal contributions to the scientific community. This position will support the laboratory of Dr. Nima Sharifi, who will join the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as Director, Scientific and Translational Research for the Desai Sethi Urological Institute, and Professor in the Department of Urology.

Dr. Sharifi’s laboratory focuses on mechanistic discovery to understand the metabolic and molecular mechanisms of androgen synthesis and androgen receptor gain-of-function that lead to resistance to hormonal therapy.  His work is revealing fundamental endocrine mechanisms in both normal physiology and disease, including stress, aging, and glucocorticoid resistance that will lead to broad applications to oncology and cancer physiology.

Specific areas include: 

•    Metabolic and genetic changes required for hormone therapy resistance in prostate and breast cancers 
•    Discovery of entirely new mechanisms of endocrine physiology and regulation
•    Clinical validation in patients and clinical trials using innovative approaches
•    Animal models of advanced cancer for translational and therapeutic studies
•    Identifying targets for the development of new pharmacologic therapies
•    Drug discovery for new therapies

His laboratory discovered the first example of a gain-of-function in a steroid-synthesizing enzyme that enables prostate cancer resistance to hormonal therapy (Chang, et al. Cell. 2013;154:1074-84). They also recently discovered that abiraterone works by conversion to a more active steroidal metabolite (Li, et al. Nature. 2015;523:347-51), that metabolism is pharmacologically modifiable to optimize therapy (Li, et al. Nature. 2016;533:547-51) and that these events are a class effect of steroidal androgen synthesis inhibitors (Alyamani, et al. Cell Chem Biol. 2017;24:825-32) and genetic determination of metabolite generation (Alyamani, et al. J Clin Invest. 2018;128:3333-40). Most recently, his laboratory reported that blockade of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase normalizes glucocorticoid metabolism and reverses enzalutamide resistance, credentialing a new pharmacologic vulnerability (Sci Transl Med 13; 2021). 
    
This position is ideal for an individual with a strong interest in rapid translation of basic mechanistic discoveries to the bedside as this is a principal goal of the Sharifi Laboratory. For example, they have shown that our discovery of a gain-of-function in a steroid-synthesizing enzyme is a predictive biomarker of poor outcomes after hormonal therapy (Hearn, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2016;17:1435-44; JAMA Oncol. 2018;4:558-62; JAMA Oncol. 2020;6(4):e196496).  Dr. Sharifi’s group is currently evaluating this biomarker in an active clinical trial and are pursuing similar mechanisms and developing new treatment modalities based on these discoveries.  

The position will provide a unique and multidisciplinary exposure to tumor metabolism, molecular oncology, drug development, and clinical trials.  Further details are available at: http://www.lerner.ccf.org/cancerbio/sharifi/ and http://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/?s=sharifi

The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, chemistry or molecular biology; has the appropriate expertise in discovery of molecular, biochemical or chemical mechanisms; and is highly driven. Outstanding verbal and communication skills are required. Interested candidates should send their CV and contact information for 3 references to: 

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: MD or Ph.D. in relevant field
 

Experience: No prior experience required
 

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
Skill in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data.
Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

Patient safety is a top priority. As a result, during the Influenza ("the flu") season (September through April), the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine requires all employees who provide ongoing services to patients, work in a location (all Hospitals and clinics) where patient care is provided, or work in patient care or clinical care areas, to have an annual influenza vaccination. Failure to meet this requirement will result in rescinding or termination of employment.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff

Pay Grade:

r5

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