Researcher - Comprehensive Cancer Center

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About the lab: The Blair lab focuses on novel immunotherapeutics for pancreatic adenocarcinoma with a particular interest in innate immunity, STING signaling, synergistic effects of radiation and the plasticity of tumor stroma. We focus on rational combinations of agents that target the tumor microenvironment to increase effector immune cell infiltration and tumor‑eradicating function. The lab focuses on preclinical mouse models, but supplements this with in vitro cell work to understand changes in signaling and expression, as well as analysis of treated human tissue from clinical trials leveraging our robust tissue biobank.

Our current projects center around leveraging a novel nanoparticle agent that targets the STING pathway to up regulate an otherwise dampened immune response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Long term goals are to expand the clinical trial opportunities at The Ohio State University Medical Center.

We are searching for a senior researcher to design, execute and manage research projects investigating the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer in a basic and translational biological/health science research laboratory in the Department of Surgery and Division of Surgical Oncology, functioning as a specialist or technical expert in immunology and/or cancer biology. They will collaborate with Principal Investigator (PI) to develop, manage and implement research projects;

plans, designs, and conduct complex & advanced research; plan and execute advanced molecular biological and biochemical procedures specializing & providing technical expertise in immunology and cancer cell molecular biology; extract, analyze & evaluate experimental data; develop and implement new or revised research methods; assists PI in research & development efforts of new research projects; works closely with PI to determine and develop goals of projects;

develops and establishes criteria & research standards to meet goals of research projects; plan and write manuscripts, articles, abstracts and research reports for publication in scientific journals; attend and present research results at national and international scientific conferences and workshops; actively contribute to developing, writing, editing and critiquing research grant proposals; investigate potential sources of funding and make recommendations to principal investigators;

participate in developing and establishing working relationships with current & potential sponsors of research; oversee appropriate maintenance of all laboratory equipment; oversee and initiate procurement of lab supplies and equipment, negotiate and oversee equipment service contracts and repairs; participate in developing and implementing laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safety Manual; monitor, oversee & ensure compliance to local, state and federal laboratory health and safety rules, regulations and guidelines;

provide training of research staff in executing new research methods; serve as a consultant to other investigators in area of expertise.

A successful candidate will be driven, creative and team-oriented. We are seeking individuals who are an efficient experimentalist, able to lead an interdisciplinary research project, and be a good lab and team member. Effective communication skills are required.

• Conceptualizes, designs and executes complex laboratory experiments
• Plans and executes advanced molecular and cellular techniques: including transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, immune cell isolation and functional analysis
• Plans, coordinates and oversees processing and analysis of data
• Analyzes and interprets research data
• Develops and implements new and/or revised research methodology and techniques
• Plans and tests experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods
• Develops and establishes research controls, criteria and standards
• Performs critical analysis of literature relevant to research
• Collaborates with principal investigator to write and prepare research papers and manuscripts for…