Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Description:

Position Summary

POSITION TITLE: Postdoctoral Fellow

Purpose: A Postdoctoral Fellow Position is immediately available in the laboratory of Dr. Anthony E. Zamora in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Zamora lab’s research focuses on identifying ways to modulate the immune system to more effectively target and eliminate cancerous cells. Along these lines, the lab utilizes cellular-based engineering approaches that aim to increase the specificity of immune cells for their targets and at the same time decrease the likelihood of off-target toxicities.

Current research in the Zamora lab focuses on: (1) discovering tumor antigens that serve as immunogenic targets, (2) identifying the mechanisms involved in the immune system’s ability to generate antitumor specificities, (3) characterizing the phenotypic, functional, and receptor repertoires of neoantigen-specific T cells, and (4) exploring ways to translate these findings to expand on the current therapeutic options used to treat cancer.

A major area of focus for this postdoctoral position will be to work on preclinical and translational studies focused on assessing the efficacy of novel CAR T cell therapies. Work for this project will consist of determining whether non-viral genome targeting approaches utilizing endogenous gene expression pathways show improved persistence, functionality, and safety when compared to traditional non-targeted viral gene delivery systems.

Experience with flow cytometry, PCR, RNA-seq, molecular cloning, cell culture, and other immunological techniques is required. Previous experience with sequencing, single-cell analysis, computational/bioinformatic analysis is highly desired.

This position is NOT RESTRICTED to permanent U.S. residents or citizens.

Characteristics of a postdoctoral appointment:

It is expected that postdocs at MCW, with the assistance of their supervisor, will:

• Transition to career independence through the development of professional skills that enable the postdoc to actively pursue a career of his/her own choosing.
• Be supervised by at least one senior scholar who actively promotes the postdoc’s professional development.
• Establish an individual development plan (IDP) that incorporates equally the postdoc’s career and training goals and the mentor’s research goals.
• Pursue basic, clinical, or translational projects so long as effort is focused primarily on research.
• Publish results of the postdoc’s research and scholarship during their appointment.
• The postdoctoral appointment is temporary by nature, the aggregate amount of time spent as a postdoc is recommended to not exceed five years (not including family medical leave or maternity/paternity leave).
• As postdocs are important members of the host institution’s community, appropriate levels of compensation, health care, and other benefits commensurate with their essential status should be afforded, independent of the postdoc’s source of funding.

Primary Functions

• Perform immunology and cancer immunotherapy experiments from design conception to data analysis and presentation of results.
• Prepare scientific papers and present scientific data at local and national meetings.
• Assist the principal investigator with preparing and reviewing grant applications.
• Plan, design and execute complex research studies, procedures and protocols.
• Participate in discovery projects.
• Develop new methodologies for lab procedures.
• Coordinate research study activities; lead and manage projects.
• Oversee organization, synthesis and analysis of data and findings.
• Prepare scientific reports, outcome findings and scientific manuscripts.
• Participate in meetings with principal investigator and research staff in which you will evaluate/interpret the validity of data, develop methodologies, and design and evaluate lab procedures.
• Maintain supplies, may require negotiation with vendors, and track purchase orders.
• May oversee the work of laboratory personnel including training and development as well as daily work direction, delegation and establishing priorities.

Preferred Schedule:

Full-time role with expectations for coverage during core business hours and flexibility required as necessary to accommodate business needs.

Position Requirements:

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

• Understanding of general and advanced laboratory procedures, scientific approaches, and methodologies is essential.
• Experience with immunological, biochemical, molecular, and cellular techniques is required.
• Experience with sequencing and single-cell analysis is preferred; computational/bioinformatic experience is desired, but not required.
• Experience with handling of laboratory animals is preferred, but not required.
• Experience working with grant coordinators to track and monitor spending is highly desired.
• Ability to develop and follow research protocols is required.
• Ability to effectively communicate and share ideas with collaborators and researchers in other labs is required.
• Knowledge of biology, chemistry, mathematics, documentation, and record management.
• Data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and writing skills.
• Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures.

Organizational Structure

Building:                                   MACC Fund Research Building, Suite 6072

Department:                              Medicine

Division:                                   Hematology and Oncology

Reports to (Title):                      Principal Investigator – Dr. Anthony E. Zamora

Collaborates with (Titles):          Rotating Students, Graduate Student Researchers, Research Staff

Specifications

Minimum Required Education:               PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.

Minimum Required Experience:             No experience required

Preferred Education:                              PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Computational              Biology/Bioinformatics, Systems Biology

Preferred Experience:                            Experience in immunology, molecular and cellular biology techniques.  Immunology, molecular and cellular biology, cancer biology, and/or cancer immunotherapy research. Computational Biology/Bioinformatics experience/research desired.

Classification

Grade Name                                         NULL

Full-Time Equivalent                             1.0

FLSA Status                                  Exempt

FLSA Test                                            Learned Professional

Workweek                                            Full-time role with expectations for coverage during core business hours and flexibility required as necessary to accommodate business needs.

Job ID                                          283

Job Name                                     Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Category                            Research Services (RS)

Job Scope

Complexity – regularly applied judgment to accomplish tasks; develops policies and procedures

Impact – errors may cause moderate to serious damage; accuracy highly important

Autonomy – performs work independently with regular check-ins; supervision available as needed

Communication – occasionally resolves conflicts; adapts communication style to audiences

Responsibility – advises others

Confidentiality – regularly prepares and uses confidential information

Leadership – acts as a role model

Physical Requirements

Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.

Risk Potential

Little or no exposure to hazards such as dust, fumes, or extreme temperatures, airborne or blood borne pathogens, extreme temperatures, or allergens.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Performance Dimensions

Collegiality

Exhibit confidentiality, honesty, and actions that build trust and strengthen relationships. Listen to others and effectively communicate in a clear and concise manner through written and verbal communication. Demonstrate respect and commitment to the values of diversity and equity; seek out and incorporate diverse perspectives into decision making.

Excellence and Creativity

Exhibit initiative and ingenuity by taking ownership of tasks to proactively improve services, avoid problems, or develop opportunities. Generate novel and valuable ideas to impact institutional missions.

Identify and implement new methods to increase efficiency and quality.

Education and Development

Displays an ongoing commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement in one’s area of responsibility. Actively seek out mentorship and learning opportunities that can be applied to current and future work activities. Develop and maintain professional affiliations. Participate in design, development, and/or evaluation of instructional materials, methods, courses, or programs.

Agility and Judgment

Remain flexible and versatile in rapidly changing environment and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Change behavioral style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal. Make timely and sound decisions based on analysis of information, experience, and logic. Show reliability and accountability in the successful completion of all work.

Stewardship and Institutional Citizenship

Support transformational change to achieve institutional vision and strategies. Be an active and thoughtful participant in institutional initiatives, meetings, and committee work. Conserve resources and use in an efficient and cost effective manner across all institutional missions. Look for ways to improve and promote quality within area of influence.

Disclaimers

Background Check

Employment in this position may be contingent upon successfully completing a background and criminal history check, caregiver background check in accordance with the Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check

Law, physical examination, and / or driving record check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Medical College of Wisconsin is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Medical College of Wisconsin defines diversity as a commitment to recognizing and appreciating the variety of individual differences in an environment that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement. The diversity of MCW continues to be an important source of innovative ideas and creative accomplishments.

Confidentiality

Employees that have access to MCW, affiliate, subsidiary, or student data or Protected Health Information

(PI), or research protected information are obligated to protect the confidentiality and proper use and access of this information in order to prevent loss, misuse, unauthorized access, unnecessary identification, or security breaches.

Completeness

This job description is not an employment contract and the Medical College of Wisconsin may modify this document at any time. This document is intended to indicate the types of tasks and levels of skill, effort, and responsibility required by positions assigned this title. This information shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of direct reports. The functions described are not to be interpreted as exclusive or all-inclusive of the various functions performed.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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