RESEARCH FELLOW

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Responsibilities*

A post-doctoral position is immediately available to investigate how tumor microenvironment and neurodevelopment influence diffuse midline glioma (DMG) biology and therapeutic response. This project places a strong emphasis on orthotopic mouse modeling of brain tumors, including brainstem implantation, integrated with mechanistic cell-based studies and rigorous in vivo therapeutic testing.

Under the supervision of Dr. Koschmann (Department of Pediatrics), the fellow will lead the development and application of advanced genetically engineered and orthotopic murine models, including intra-uterine electroporation (IUE)?based systems and brainstem tumor implantation approaches that faithfully recapitulate human DMG. A major focus of the position will be the design, execution, and analysis of in vivo treatment studies, including evaluation of novel targeted and epigenetic therapies using survival, imaging, molecular, and cellular endpoints.

In parallel, the fellow will perform complementary functional studies to investigate tumor cell state, lineage programs, and therapeutic response. This work will incorporate a broad range of cell-level assays, including immunocytochemistry (ICC), stimulation and perturbation experiments, viability and proliferation assays, imaging-based analyses, and other plate-based functional approaches to characterize tumor biology and tumor?microenvironment interactions. This role offers the opportunity to drive highly translational research bridging developmental biology, tumor modeling, and functional therapeutic testing.

Required Qualifications*

? PhD in Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Epigenetics, or a related field

? Strong expertise in molecular and cellular biology techniques, including molecular cloning, cell culture, gene transfection/transduction, RNA/DNA/protein analyses, and functional cell-based assays

? Experience with cellular phenotyping approaches such as ICC, imaging-based assays, stimulation/perturbation studies, or plate-based functional assays

? Demonstrated experience or strong interest in in vivo cancer experimental design and execution

Desired Qualifications*

? Experience with murine models of neurological disease and/or orthotopic tumor models (preferably CNS or brainstem implantation)

? Hands-on experience with in vivo drug treatment studies, including dosing strategies, pharmacodynamic assessment, and survival analyses

? Familiarity with small animal surgical techniques, imaging modalities, histopathologic analysis, and/or integrated cellular characterization of brain tumors

? Analysis of cancer multi-omic data (including scRNAseq, IF, spatial)

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.