Postdoctoral Fellow

Through our science, our evidence-based actions, our openness, and our respect for those we serve, we will advance cancer-focused research worldwide and reduce the burden of cancer in our catchment area. By engaging with and empowering our exceptionally diverse populations, and addressing their questions and fears, we will engender hope for cancer patients and their families and play a critical role in strengthening the fabric of our communities by gaining and protecting their trust and providing access to the outstanding oncology care each person deserves.

To accelerate scientific discovery focused on understanding cancer, innovating cancer treatment, and improving cancer prevention; to provide outstanding, novel, and compassionate patient care; to provide evidence-based and culturally informed education to physicians, nurses, researchers, staff, and the community; and to achieve cancer health equity in our state through outreach to and engagement of our extraordinarily diverse communities.

CORE VALUES: Curiosity and Discovery, Integrity, Collaboration, Cultivating Diversity, Respect and Caring, Perseverance.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Radiation Oncology/RadCaBio at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Postdoctoral positions are available immediately under the mentorship of Dr. Zhiyuan Shen. The primary responsibilities of the postdoctoral appointees are: to independently investigate the regulation of DNA repair and its influence on tumor response to treatment, to elucidate the mechanism by which the BCCIP protein regulates ribosome biogenesis, to understand how lysine methylation may coordinate the nuclear and cytoplasmic functions of a DNA repair protein, and to identify new mechanisms involved in the recovery of acquired bone marrow failure under the direction of the PI.

Ideal candidates should have a recent PhD with trainings in cell & molecular biology and/or cancer biology or other relevant fields, with effective communication skills in oral and written English and competence in common computer applications, and have a background in relevant research as evidenced by a publication record consistent with the career level. Must be competent in basic cell and molecular biology techniques, and basic bio-statistic tools. Prior experience with DNA repair, ribosome biology, RNA biology, microscopy, and computational genomics are desirable but not required.

Housed in the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the Shen lab is located at a vibrant and interdisciplinary basic/translational/clinical research facility in New Brunswick, NJ. The Shen Lab leverages a wide range of research approaches, including cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, animal models, and bioinformatics. Postdocs have abundant opportunities to interact with a vast research community offered by Rutgers campuses, and participate in various career trainings and activities. New Brunswick has a convenient access to major cultural centers such as New York city and Philadelphia.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.
Rutgers also offers a benefit program to eligible full-time postdoctoral fellow students. For details, please go to https://finance.rutgers.edu/healthcare-risk/insurance/postdoctoral-health-insurance.

Under Policy 60.1.35, Rutgers University requires all prospective employees to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and have received a booster (where eligible) against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Prospective employees who are not eligible for a booster at the time of an offer of employment must provide proof they have received a booster within two weeks (14 calendar days) of eligibility. Based on current guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of any COVID-19 vaccine authorized or approved for use in the United States by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eligibility for a booster against COVID-19 varies and is explained on the University’s web site located at https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu/covid-19-vaccine. Failure to provide proof of primary vaccination and booster will result in rescission of a prospective employee’s offer of employment and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements. Lifting up to 25lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Laboratory environment. Moderate noise. Exposure to blood, excrement, antineoplastic drugs and possible exposure to infectious and communicable diseases. Universal precautions are mandatory. Exposure to hazardous chemicals.