Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Description:

The Wang Laboratory at the University of Michigan is offering an exciting Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for individuals interested in the clinical translation of molecular imaging biomarkers for cancer. This prestigious role is positioned at the intersection of molecular biology, peptide chemistry, and translational imaging, offering a chance to be at the forefront of biomedical innovation within a collaborative and well-funded research environment.

This role focuses on developing peptide-based imaging probes aimed at detecting digestive tract and liver cancers at early stages. The successful candidate will work on probe design, optimization, and performance validation in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo environments. The project is part of the NIH-funded National Center for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB), providing access to cutting-edge tools and imaging technologies such as MRI and fiber-coupled microendoscopy.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Peptide Development & Optimization

   • Screen cancer-targeting peptides using phage display and perform biopanning to isolate high-affinity sequences.

   • Optimize peptides using molecular docking and computational modeling.

   • Develop heterodimeric peptide structures with complementary functionalities.

2. Validation Studies

   • Conduct siRNA knockdown and competition assays to validate binding specificity.

   • Perform confocal microscopy on FFPE human specimens and co-localization with antibodies.

   • Evaluate binding kinetics and affinity parameters of imaging agents.

3. In Vivo Imaging

   • Use orthotopic organoid models implanted in immunocompromised mice.

   • Perform fluorescence imaging using advanced fiber endoscopy systems.

4. Data Analysis & Dissemination

   • Analyze imaging and molecular data, apply statistical techniques.

   • Author peer-reviewed publications, prepare conference presentations, and contribute to grant writing.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Cancer Biology, or related field.

• Technical Expertise:

  • Experience in peptide design, phage display, and structural modeling.

  • Familiarity with cell culture, siRNA, and fluorescence assays.

  • Skilled in confocal microscopy, image analysis, and flow cytometry.

  • Experience in in vivo imaging using preclinical models.

• Skills:

  • Analytical thinking, data interpretation, and technical writing.

  • Strong collaboration and communication skills.

  • Experience with statistical tools (GraphPad Prism, R) and image analysis software (ImageJ, Imaris) preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in molecular imaging or diagnostic development.

• Previous work with xenografts, organoids, or translational cancer models.

• Ability to manage multiple workflows in a multidisciplinary lab environment.

Facilities & Research Environment:

• The lab is housed in the Biomedical Science Research Building (BSRB) on the University of Michigan campus.

• Fully equipped with:

  • Automated peptide synthesizer, HPLC, lyophilizer, and full cell culture setup.

  • Confocal microscopy systems (Zeiss LSM 510), tissue processing labs, and imaging suites.

  • Access to Center for Molecular Imaging for small animal studies and translational imaging tools.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary in accordance with NIH postdoc guidelines.

• Access to advanced research infrastructure and mentoring support.

• Opportunity to publish in top-tier journals and collaborate across disciplines.

• Work within a diverse, inclusive, and innovation-driven academic environment.