Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available in the Singh group of the Hale Center of Pancreas Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School which studies the genetics and biology of pancreatic cancer. The group is embedded within the labs of Drs. Andrew Aguirre ( https://aguirrelab.dana-farber.org/ ) and Brian Wolpin ( https://lustgarten.org/leadership/labs/wolpin-lab/ ) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Research in the group is focused on highly translational studies of patient-derived specimens and the group works collaboratively within the Dana-Farber Hale Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research ( https://halecenter.dfci.harvard.edu/ ).

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.

We are seeking a sincere and talented postdoctoral researcher to perform groundbreaking, hypothesis-driven research to study on mechanisms of resistance to novel antibody drug conjugate and additional therapies in pancreatic cancer (Major Focus Area 3). Candidates with prior training and deep knowledge of molecular biology, preclinical drug testing and translational medicine would be well suited for this position. The dynamic and rich environment of the Hale Center has extensive breadth of knowledge and expertise and will provide several exciting opportunities for collaboration and intellectual growth.

We believe in the integration of molecular biology, and omic approaches to understand pancreatic cancer with three major focus areas (MFA): MFA 1) Understanding clinical implications of molecular features of pancreatic cancer in large patient cohorts; MFA2) Develop improved methods of monitoring and predicting response to therapy using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and MFA3) Basic mechanistic cancer biology with focus on preclinical studies using novel therapies for pancreatic cancer with emphasis on antibody drug conjugates and immunotherapies. Additional details of recent work from the group in various MFA's are highlighted below:

Major Focus Areas 1 & 3 (Clinical cohort studies with preclinical testing):

1. Singh H , Keller RB, Kapner KS*, Dilly J, Raghavan S, Yuan C, Cohen EF, Tolstorukov M, Andrews E, Brais LK, Da Silva A, Perez K, Rubinson DA, Surana R, Giannakis M, Ng K, Clancy TE, Yurgelun MB, Schlechter B, Clark JW, Shapiro GI, Rosenthal MH, Hornick JL, Nardi V, Li YY, Gupta H, Cherniack AD, Meyerson M, Cleary JM, Nowak JA, Wolpin BM, Aguirre AJ. Oncogenic drivers and therapeutic vulnerabilities in KRAS wild-type pancreatic cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. 2023 Jul 18. PMID: 37463056

2. Singh H , Sahgal P, Kapner K, Corsello SM, Gupta H, Gujrathi R, Li YY, Cherniack AD, El Alam R, Kerfoot J, Andrews E, Lee An, Nambiar C, Hannigan AM, Remland J, Brais L, Leahy ME, Rubinson DA, Schlechter BL, Meyerson M, Kuang Y, Paweletz CP, Lee JK, Quintanilha JCF, Aguirre AJ, Perez KJ, Huffman BM, Rossi H, Abrams TA, Kabraji S, Trusolino L, Bertotti A, Sicinska ET, Parikh AR, Wolpin BM, Schrock AB, Giannakis M, Ng Kimmie, Meyerhardt JA, Hornick JL, Sethi NS, Cleary JM. RAS/RAF co-mutation and ERBB2 copy number modulates HER2 heterogeneity and responsiveness to HER2-directed therapy in colorectal cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. 2024 Feb 12. PMID: 38345769

3. Singh H , Xiu J, Kapner KS, Yuan C, Narayan RR, Oberley M, Farrell A, Surana R, Huffman BM, Perez K, Cleary JM, Jordan AC, Dias Costa A, Williams HL, Raghavan S, Weinberg B, Pishvaian MJ, Shroff RT, Goel S, Dougan SK, Nowak JA, Spetzler D, Sledge G, Wolpin BM, Aguirre AJ. Clinical and genomic features of classical and basal transcriptional subtypes in pancreatic cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. Accepted

4. Cardot-Ruffino V, Bollenrucher N, Delius L, Wang SJ, Remland J, Keheler CE, Dougan M, Brais L, Singh H , Dougan SK. G-CSF rescue of FOLFIRINOX-induced neutropenia leads to systemic immune suppression in mice and humans. J Immunother Cancer. 2023 Jun;11(6):e006589. PMID: 37344102

Major Focus Area 2 (Response prediction and circulating tumor DNA):

1. Singh H , Klempner SJ, Melnitchouk N, Chander DP, Negrea OG, Patel AK, Schlechter BL, Rubinson DA, Huffman BM, Nambiar C, Remland J, Andrews E, Dolan ME, Brais LK, Enzinger PC, Mamon HJ, Giannakis M, Meyerhardt JA, Ng K, Perez KJ, Aguirre AJ, Clark JW, Cleary JM, Wolpin BM. Highly sensitive ctDNA assay aids clinical management of radiographically occult isolated peritoneal metastases in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. JCO Precis Oncol. 2023. Jun;7:e2200572. PMID: 37343200

2. Singh H , Lowder KE, Kapner KS*, Kelly RJ, Zheng H, McCleary NJ, Abrams TA, Chan JA, Regan EM, Klempner SJ, Hannigan AM, Remland J, Brais LK, Andrews E, Yurgelun M, Cleary JM, Rubinson DA, Ritterhouse LL, Maorn G, Aguirre AJ, Meyerhardt JA, Gardecki E, Lennerz JK, Wolpin BM, Enzinger PC. Clinical outcomes and ctDNA correlates for CAPOX BETR: A phase II trial of capecitabine, oxaliplatin, bevacizumab, trastuzumab in previously untreated advanced HER2+ gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Nature Communications. 2024 Aug 9;15(1):6833. PMID: 39122726

Major Focus Area 3 (Basic mechanistic Cancer and Molecular Biology):

1. Singh H , Ha K, Hornick JL, Madha S, Cejas P, Jajoo K, Singh P, Polak P, Lee H, Shivdasani RA. Hybrid Stomach-Intestinal Chromatin States Underlie Human Barrett's Metaplasia. Gastroenterology. 2021;161(3):924-939.e11. PMID: 34090884; PMCID: PMC8380686.

2. Singh H , Seruggia D, Madha S, Saxena M, Nagaraja AK, Wu Z, Zhou J, Huebner AJ, Maglieri A, Wezenbeek J, Hochedlinger K, Orkin SH, Bass AJ, Hornick JL, Shivdasani RA. Transcription factor-mediated intestinal metaplasia and the role of a shadow enhancer. Genes Dev. 2022;36(1-2):38-52. PMID: 34969824; PMCID: PMC8763054.

• Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or doctoral equivalent in a relevant field (biology, immunology, cancer biology, or equivalent)

• Strong work ethic & highly collaborative interpersonal skillset.

• Proven ability to solve technical experimental problems.

• Ability to adapt research direction to changing data will be critical.

• A passion for learning and using innovative technological solutions to biologic problems is highly desired.

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 characteristics protected by law.

EEOC Poster