Staff Scientist

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Job Location (Full Address):

275 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

400166 Cancer Center M&D

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 110 H

Compensation Range:

$29.33 - $41.06

Responsibilities:

The Staff Scientist will take a leading role in our research program focused on AI-informed therapeutic targets for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This person will independently manage major parts of the project, including studying the biology of promising targets, testing combination strategies with existing therapies, and investigating how resistance develops. The position involves significant responsibility for planning experiments, analyzing data, handling regulatory paperwork, contributing to grants, and training/supervising other lab members. The Staff Scientist is expected to help drive the scientific direction of the project and support its longer-term goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently leads major components of the therapeutic targets project. Designs and runs experiments to study AI-informed targets in PDAC, evaluate combinations with current treatments, and examine resistance mechanisms. Helps set priorities in discussion with the PI. Plans and carries out complex in vitro and in vivo studies using PDAC models (cell lines, organoids, PDX, syngeneic systems, inducible knockdown, etc.).
• Contributes to grant writing (including NIH applications) and prepares necessary regulatory documents (IRB, IACUC, and IBC).
• Analyzes experimental data, interprets results, and judges their importance for the overall program. Writes up findings and makes strong intellectual contributions to manuscripts (with expectation of co-authorship or senior authorship when appropriate).
• Oversees day-to-day scientific work on the project. Develops and improves protocols, maintains high standards for data quality and record-keeping, and troubleshoots technical issues as they arise.
• Trains and supervises postdocs, technicians, students, and other lab members in relevant techniques (advanced cell culture, molecular biology, in vivo models, data analysis). Gives ongoing guidance and feedback.
• Stays current with the field by reading literature, attending meetings, and presenting data at lab meetings, collaborator calls, and scientific conferences.
• Helps manage project resources like ordering reagents and supplies, coordinating equipment maintenance, tracking spending, and assisting with budget planning in consultation with the PI.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Doctoral degree in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Experimental Pathology, or a related field and 2 years of relevant postdoctoral training required
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Hands-on experience with in vivo mouse work and experience preparing IACUC protocols is strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong background in cancer biology with demonstrated experience studying therapeutic targets, drug mechanisms, or resistance preferred.
• Solid hands-on skills in molecular and cellular biology, advanced cell culture, and in vivo studies preferred.
• Experience designing, executing, and interpreting complex experiments in cancer models preferred.
• Experience with PDAC models (cell lines, organoids, PDX, syngeneic systems) and/or inducible gene knockdown approaches is preferred.
• Grant writing experience is preferred.
• Experience with AI-informed or computational target identification follow-up studies is preferred.
• Strong data analysis and organizational skills is preferred.

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