Post Doctoral Scientist - IGM Rajappa Lab 

  Applicants should have either a PhD or MD from backgrounds in Neuroscience, Tumor Immunology or Cancer Biology. Backgrounds in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology will also be considered.  Experience with animal tumor modeling, cell sorting and flow cytometry is desired.  Additional experience with Genomics/Bioinformatics/Statistics is a plus.

Our vision aims to rapidly translate research discoveries into lasting treatment options for pediatric and young adult patients afflicted with Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors.  Specifically, our laboratory is studying the mechanisms that potentiate low to high grade glioma progression.  We use transgenic brain tumor mouse models that recapitulate low to high grade glioma progression and correlate our findings with peripheral blood and tumor specimens from patients with CNS tumors.  These models also serve as a platform to explore the contribution of the tumor microenvironment and myeloid cells in low grade glioma progression and also test novel therapeutic agents aimed at impairing malignant transformation.  To that end, we aim to develop next-generation therapies that modulate the innate immune myeloid cell rich glioma microenvironment. To dissect myeloid cell heterogeneity within gliomas, our lab leverages Next-Generation Sequencing in addition to Single-cell RNA sequencing to elucidate the functional role of these innate immune populations.

Our long-term goals are to use these innovative tools in order to translate our findings into new age clinical trials for patients with gliomas and validate select myeloid cell populations as in-vivo biomarkers that may enhance risk stratification and targeted approaches for this patient population.

Our team is part of the Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM) at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which is at the forefront of using genomic sequencing in the clinical setting to predict best health outcomes for patients and is one of the driving forces shaping precision medicine.  Led by a team of internationally-renowned genomic medicine scientists (Richard Wilson, PhD and Elaine Mardis, PhD) IGM is housed in the campus’ newest research building, spanning ~25,000 square feet of laboratory and office space in a highly interactive setting.

Please include “Translational Neuro-Oncology Research Scientist Position” in the subject line. Competitive applications will be evaluated when they are received and the position will remain open until the position is filled.

The Research Scientist position will design and lead scientific aspects of a project, such as study design, grant proposal drafting, outcome evaluation, and manuscript writing etc. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and capable of working with technical staff to drive the projects forward. The candidate must be able to verbally and visually communicate clearly to all level of stakeholders.

From the results of studies, helps to develop hypotheses for further investigation.  With minimal guidance from the PI, prepares technical materials such as abstracts, annual reports, scientific papers, grants, and presentations.  Publishes scientific articles in appropriate refereed journals. 

The moment you walk through our doors, you feel it. When you meet our patient families, you believe it. And when you talk with anyone who works here, you want to be part of it. Welcome to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Where Passion Meets Purpose.

Here, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are integrated into our core values and practices. We are passionate about building, sustaining and evolving an inclusive and equitable environment. We are seeking individuals who live these values and want to share their experiences and efforts in support of our collective mission.

We’re 14,000 strong. And it takes every one of us to improve the lives of the kids we care for, and the kids around the world we’ll never meet. Kids who live healthier, fuller lives because of the knowledge we share. We know it takes a Collaborative Culture to deliver on our promise to provide the very best, innovative care and to foster new discoveries, made possible by the most groundbreaking research. Anywhere.

Ask anyone with a Nationwide Children’s badge what they do for a living. They’ll tell you it’s More Than a Job. It’s a calling. It’s a chance to use and grow your talent to make an impact that truly matters. Because here, we exist simply to help children everywhere.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital. A Place to Be Proud.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  With guidance from a CRI mentor, design experiments and develops protocols required to conduct productive research in a specific scientific area. After the study has been designed, performs the research work in accordance with the protocol. 
• Helps to train and supervise technical support staff in performing specific techniques essential to carrying out the research program. 
• Records and analyzes data generated by the research study, and helps to plan future research endeavors. 
• Prepares scientific and technical papers from the results of the research work. Publishes papers in appropriate refereed scientific journals. Presents findings at local (particularly CRI research meetings) and national research forums. 
• If appropriate, collaborates with other ongoing research efforts either at CRI or at The Ohio State University. 
• This is considered a training position therefore the RI will allow a trainee 5 years to advance beyond the level of Post Doc.
• Works toward research independence. Prepares to submit proposals to and obtain funding from external granting agencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Education:

• Must be a team player with strong communication and organizational skills. 
• PhD or MD in Biomedical Sciences or related discipline. 

Skills and Experience:

• Perform advanced molecular and biological experiments: designs, plans, executes, interprets data, and generates figures.
• Assist with supervision and training of graduate students and junior scientists. 
• Author publications in appropriate refereed scientific journals. 
• Present findings at local and national professional meetings.
• Work towards establishing research independence by preparing proposals for external grant funding.  

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Percent of time spent on: 25% Designing and developing protocols
• 25% Performing research work
• 25% Recording and analyzing data generated by research study
• 10% Preparing scientific and technical papers
• 03% Liaison with OSU researchers
• 02% Miscellaneous paperwork associated with research
• 100% Kneeling / reaching
• 100% Finger dexterity
• 100% Talking / hearing / seeing
• 33% Lifting / carrying weight 0-20 pounds for 1-5 minutes
• Pressure in this position will vary depending on the workload.
• The workload will be heavy but manageable most of the time.
• Pressure may arise in the face of deadlines associated research and manuscript writing.  
• The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification.

EOE M/F/Disability/Vet