As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will apply the Nowak laboratory's somatically engineered mouse models (SEMMs) and lineage-tracing platforms to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), in collaboration with the Birsoy/Tavazoie laboratories (Rockefeller University), to define how metabolism shapes tumor–immune interactions. You will engineer multi-allele PDAC mouse models (floxed KRASG12D, Cas9-eGFP, and luciferase), validate lentiviral delivery to the pancreas, deliver Trp53-targeting guide RNAs with evolving lineage-tracing barcodes to induce tumors and track clonal evolution, conduct candidate gene inactivation studies, and integrate barcode lineage data with single-cell and computational analyses to quantify cancer–immune interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME).
You will be responsible for the following:
- Conduct the research independently and/or collaboratively with colleagues to ensure all experiments are appropriately conducted following Lab, Department, and College policies and procedures.
- Designing, organizing, and carrying out experiments using established protocols, and sometimes adapting to and designing new protocols.
- Collect, prepare, and analyze research data. This may include keeping a detailed notebook summarizing experiments and recording research data and/or maintaining a computer database of the research data.
- Tabulate data for presentations and use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data.
- Participate in abstract and article preparation with the Principal Investigator, publish results in research journals, and present findings at conferences.
- Assist the Principal Investigator in applying for fellowship, grant, and scholarship support, as requested.
- Assume general responsibility for scientific operations of the laboratory, including training and supervising interns, students, and other laboratory personnel, as necessary.
Minimum Qualifications:
- PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, Molecular/Cell Biology, or a related field, completed by the appointment start date.
- Hands-on experience with mouse models of cancer, including in vivo viral delivery, longitudinal tumor monitoring, necropsy, and tissue processing.
- Experience with core molecular biology techniques, including lentiviral vector design and production, molecular cloning, and mammalian cell/organoid culture.
- Ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively, and to maintain rigorous experimental records.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, evidenced by a record of publications and/or presentations.
- Two letters of recommendation, including one from the doctoral/dissertation advisor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience developing somatically engineered mouse models (SEMMs) using CRISPR/Cas9- and Cre/lox-based platforms.
- Experience with lineage tracing and evolving barcoding for clonal analysis.
- Familiarity with genomic and computational analysis, including amplicon sequencing (e.g., CRISPResso2), bulk and single-cell RNA-seq (e.g., DESeq2), and data analysis in R.
- Prior work in PDAC, bladder, or prostate cancer models, or in tumor–immune metabolism biology.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and train junior laboratory personnel.
Application Process:
Candidates should submit their applications by sending a cover letter and a CV to the Principal Investigator via email at dgn2001@med.cornell.edu.
Commitment to Diversity
Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion among our faculty, staff, and students. We seek out individuals with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, and we work to create programs that support both our current employees and our recruitment efforts.
EEO Statement
Weill Cornell Medicine welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Appointment Term:
Although the project is a multi-year mutual commitment, appointment is offered for a period of 1 year with the possibility of renewal based on performance and mutual interest.
Starting Date:
Anticipated start as soon as possible. Processing time 3–6 months. Please allow time for recruitment and visa processing if applicable.
Location of Appointment:
Weill Cornell Medicine state-of-the-art Belfer Research Building located at 413 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021. The workspace will be the Nowak Laboratory in the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center.
Lab and Department Websites:
Lab: https://www.nowaklab.org/
MCC: https://meyercancer.weill.cornell.edu/
Department: https://medicine.weill.cornell.edu/
Salary:
The starting salary for the Postdoctoral Associate position is $75,812 - Salary will be commensurate in full compliance with the Weill Cornell Medicine Postdoctoral Union collective bargaining agreement.
Benefits:
A summary of employee benefits can be found on the WCM Human Resources website.
Visa Options:
Candidates applying for this position could be eligible for a J-1 Exchange visitor visa.
Union Membership:
This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Weill Cornell Medicine and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”), and its Local Union, Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs United-UAW Local 4100.
Contact:
Dawid Nowak, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology in Medicine
Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center
Contact
- Medicine