Postdoctoral Fellow - Melanoma Medical Oncology - Research

The Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join team. This position sits at the intersection of laboratory discovery and clinical application. The Fellow will drive translational research projects aimed at identifying mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance, validating novel targets, and characterizing patient-derived samples. This program provides advanced, interdisciplinary research training at the interface of laboratory discovery and clinical application. Designed for early-career scientists and clinician-researchers, the program immerses fellows in a bench-to-bedside paradigm focused on understanding disease biology, identifying mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance, and validating novel biomarkers or targeted therapies. Trainees conduct mentored research within collaborative research teams, bridging wet-lab investigation, computational analytics, and clinical research teams to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical interventions.

All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Translational Research Execution: Design, perform, and optimize complex translational assays and experiments to advance core oncology research priorities. Analyze and synthesize large-scale preclinical and clinical trial correlative data.

Scientific Writing & Publication: Lead the drafting, peer-review submission, and revision of high-impact research manuscripts. Prepare detailed research summaries, progress reports, and literature reviews.

Collaborative Integration: Work closely within the cross-functional engine, interfacing between lab scientists, computational biologists, and clinical research teams to meet project milestones.

Grant & Proposal Support: Assist in generating preliminary data, figures, and technical writing for grant applications (NIH/NCI, foundation awards, industry collaborations) and institutional protocols.

Presentation & Dissemination: Present scientific findings at internal team meetings, departmental seminars, and national/international oncology conferences.

Mentorship & Operations: Provide informal guidance and protocol training to junior lab personnel, graduate students, and technicians while maintaining meticulous laboratory records and safety compliance.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Pharmacology, or a closely related biological science field.

Demonstrated track record of scientific productivity supported by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Preferred Technical & Professional Skills:

Prior experience in translational oncology, tumor immunology, or biomarker discovery.

Familiarity with analyzing multi-omic datasets, tissue-based assays, or cell culture/preclinical models.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple experimental timelines within a fast-paced, team-based environment.

Exceptional written and oral communication skills for effective scientific synthesis and interdisciplinary collaboration.

POSITION INFORMATION

MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000. depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition

Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

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