We are seeking talented and motivated applicants with recent PhD or MD/PhD experience in Cancer Biology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology to study the emergence and mechanism of resistance to cisplatin and molecularly targeted therapy in head and neck cancer cells harboring mutant TP53 and HPV infection in the department of Head & Neck Surgery- Research. The research involves studies on; a) novel in vitro and in vivo targeting of DNA repair and genomic instability-induced replication stress mechanisms for maximizing response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy; b) understanding the mechanisms and impact of oncogenic mutant TP53 and HPV-oncoproteins on tumor immune microenvironment (TIME); c) examining the mechanistic role of KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 pathway dysregulation in cisplatin resistance and metastasis.

　　LEARNING OBJECTIVES

　　The objectives of her project are a) To target DNA repair and replication stress mechanisms for maximizing response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy; b) To understand the mechanisms and impact of oncogenic mutant TP53 and HPV-oncoproteins on tumor immune microenvironment (TIME); c) To examine the mechanistic role of KEAP1-NRF2-CUL3 pathway dysregulation in cisplatin resistance and metastasis. To achieve these objectives, the candidate will utilize collection of head and neck tumor cell lines and PDX models combined with various in vitro techniques involving DNA cloning, tissue culture, western blotting, immunostaining, CRISPR/Cas9 related technologies along with generation of stable cell line models. The in vitro studies will be extended in vivo to test pharmacological drugs such as WEE1, ATR, Rad51 and CHK1 inhibitors that target replication stress and genomic instability in HNSCC using our established preclinical oral cancer models. These studies will be followed by unbiased sequencing and epigenetic platforms including RNA seq, scRNA and scATAC sequencing on tumors obtained from mice following treatment with the drugs, and in some instance from head and neck patients who failed standard of care-treatment. Working along with our bioinformatician collaborators at our Institution, the candidate will be involved in the analyses of the results obtained from the sequencing and will conduct correlative outcome studies on the head and neck TCGA data sets available in cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics.

　　ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

　　The candidate will work with cutting edge approaches consists of multi-omic strategies and techniques involving DNA cloning, tissue culture, immunostaining, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing along with generation of stable cell line models, mouse, and human tumor studies. The successful candidate will integrate and work with multidisciplinary teams of bioinformaticians, molecular biologists, and clinicians.

　　POSITION INFORMATION

　　MD Anderson follows the NIH stipend levels as outlined by the Kirchstein - NRSA (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-076.html) . This full-time trainee position will provide a salary between $56,484 to $68,604, dependent upon the years of postgraduate experience.

　　MD Anderson offers compensated trainees:

　　Paid medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for trainees who work 30 or more hours per week

　　Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage

　　Paid Education Vacation and Sick Leave

　　Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave and other paid leave programs

　　Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans

　　Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program

　　Health Savings Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement flexible spending accounts

　　Fertility benefits

　　State of Texas longevity pay

　　Extensive wellness, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups