Post Doctoral Fellow / 07-11929
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

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Position Description:

JOB SUMMARY Post-doc position available in Leukemia Biology Research Laboratory in active Oncology Division at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine for NIH funded project. The Post-doc will implement novel strategies to characterize the mechanism(s) of chromosomal translocations of the MLL gene in chemotherapy related and infant leukemias. The candidate will utilize technologies including but not limited to molecular biology including molecular cloning and PCR applications, protein biochemistry, cell culture, microarrays and associated bioinformatics towards advancing a cellular model of leukemogenesis that reflects the disease in patients. It is expected that the successful candidate will acquire all of the skills necessary to conduct independent scholarly research through an integrated training experience within the larger CHOP/Penn biomedical research community. Job Specific Standards: Under direction of the Principal Investigator conforms to uniform standards of the laboratory. Conforms to all CHOP/University of Pennsylvania guidelines for research documentation in notebooks including detailed descriptions of all research planning, discussions, calculations, protocols, organized recording of results, data interpretation and analysis, and upkeep of table of contents all on a daily basis. 1. To assure that reagents are not depleted, alerts technician to necessary supplies/reagents. - Remakes stock solutions upon depletion. - Conforms to standards for keeping inventory of radioactivity and upkeep of logs in accordance with Radiation Safety Office Policy. Under direction of the Principal Investigator performs laboratory organizational tasks. Responsibilities include: 2. Keep computerized logs of specimens with updates on each new sample. Specimens include frozen tissues, cell lysates, genomic DNAs, RNAs, plasmids, DNA fragments. The organization of the logs will be uniform, accessible, and used and contributed to by all members of the laboratory. 3. Assists in the synthesis of DNA, RNA and plasmids and keeps stocks of all necessary plasmids and fragments to be used as probes. 4. Correctly prepares radiolabelled probes according to protocol. 5. Performs hematopoietic cell culture as needed for hematopoietic stem cells and cell lines required for experiments. 6. Correctly prepares human blood or marrow samples to be used in molecular analyses according to protocol. 7. Designs and performs experiments involving PCR, cloning, sequencing, Southern blotting, topoisomerase cleavage assays and other assays of topoisomerase activity in vitro and in cell. - Performs calculations and summarize data clearly and concisely. - Adapts previously published methods for use in lab and develops new approaches where appropriate under direction of Principal Investigator. - Writes methods and sets up protocols independently and under the direction of the Principal Investigator. - Sets up for and performs experiments according to protocol. - Is well prepared to review research data and plan experiments in meetings with Principal Investigator at intervals judged commensurate with developing independence and as needed by the project. - Communicates and organizes research results and their interpretation and future research questions/directions for lab meetings, campus meetings and, where deemed appropriate by Principal Investigator, national meetings in field of research concentration. 8. Maintains and uses specific specialized laboratory equipment including, but not limited to, centrifuges, vacuum pumps, freezers, tissue culture hood, incubators, power supplies and electrophoresis equipment. - Contributes to daily maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment used in research procedures with each use. 9. Reviews background literature, performs computerized literature searches pertinent to ongoing research and keeps abreast of current knowledgebase in field or research concentration in order to integrate state of the art knowledge and approaches into research and reporting. 10. Performs other related duties that arise as a result of the research performed: - Preparation of computer generated figures and tables. - Utilize computer to analyze DNA and protein sequences and perform analyses with other computer programs as appropriate to the project. - Maintain data in a computer database appropriate for analysis with tools of bioinformatics. 11. Actively participates in manuscript preparation: - With guidance of the Principal Investigator, researches and writes all papers related to projects developed primarily by the post-doc and resulting in first authorship in a timely fashion and according to timeline agreed upon with the Principal Investigator. - Prepares manuscript-related figures & tables. - Critiques all manuscripts on which participation in laboratory research merits co-authorship from collaborative research with members of the laboratory team. - Participates in writing courses where appropriate to cultivate the skills of writing. 12. Participates in grant preparation: - Under direction of Principal Investigator critiques grants on which post-doc is supported. - Where appropriate prepares project proposals for post doc grant support. - Delivers grant-related materials including data and written materials according to agreed on timelines appropriate for critiquing and revisions before grant submissions. Postdoctoral fellows at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia receive mentored training in a rich scientific and collaborative environment that includes the resources of the adjacent University of Pennsylvania. Visit www.stokes.chop.edu for more information about The Joseph Stokes, Jr. Research Institute and its research programs. Interested individuals may also submit their resume to www.stokes.chop.edu.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Requires terminal degree PhD, MD, DVM, etc. The applicant should be skilled in molecular biology and cell biology, and have familiarity with biomedical informatic analysis of gene and protein sequences. SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong research skills, Effective problem solving/critical thinking skills, Ability to work independently, Ability to exercise discretion and judgment, Value for research integrity and collaborative research, High level of motivation Good communication skills, Strong interpersonal skills.