Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Johnstone Lab

A post-doctoral research fellow position is open to join the Johnstone laboratory in the Department of Pathology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Please apply online to be considered for this opportunity!

Our laboratory is focused on understanding how genomes are epigenetically and topologically reorganized in cancer.  We use tumor models and primary tumor samples coupled with genomics and imaging-based approaches to query nuclear architecture.  We seek to understand how changes to genome organization impact tumor cell state and the mechanisms that underlie these changes.  We are recruiting motivated scientists eager to join our exploration of the 3D genome in cancer.  Ongoing projects include:

• Understanding how alterations of architectural proteins (CTCF and CTCFL) affect the 3D genome to impact ovarian cancer cell biology
• Characterization of large, neochromosomes in cancer, focusing on their epigenetic and topologic structure and function in sarcoma biology
• Defining mechanistic role of DNA methylation loss in large-scale chromatin reorganization in cancer and tumor suppression

We are a dynamic, diverse group, have a supportive, team-based training environment and engage in ongoing collaborations across the Boston area (MIT, Broad Institute, MGH/Harvard) and further (Stanford and Duke Univeristies).  

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration with others and independent thought.
• Works on problems of moderate to large scope in which analysis of situation or data requires a review of identifiable factors.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Design, conduct, and troubleshoot hypothesis-testing experiments.
• Train and oversee the lab work of research technicians in the group.
• Maintain detailed and understandable lab notebooks.
• Interpret and discuss research findings with lab members and the principal investigator.
• Use existing computational tools to analyze complex data sets, including next generation sequencing data sets, and/or fluently and effectively collaborate with computational biologists to accomplish this.
• Develop figures to depict research findings, write research and review papers, and present at scientific meetings.

Accomplished and motivated candidates with experience and an advanced doctoral degree (Ph.D., MD or doctoral equivalent) in biomedical sciences and significant experience in molecular and cell biology are encouraged to apply. Technical skills in molecular biology and cell culture technique are essential. Prior experience is genomics, transcription and/or chromatin biology  is required for consideration.   A background in genome topology is not required and can be achieved in our laboratory.

Please include a resume and a cover letter in the application.  In your cover letter please state your specific reasons for wanting to train in the lab and how the scientific goals of the lab overlap with your research experience and interests.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.

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