Department:

SOM KC Cancer Biology

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Bossmann

Position Title:

Assistant Professor - CanBio

Job Family Group:

Academic

Job Description Summary:

The Department of Cancer Biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. We seek an outstanding and highly motivated scientist who will establish an independent, externally funded research program addressing fundamental mechanisms relevant to cancer development, progression, and therapeutic response.
The successful candidate will have expertise in one or more areas of genome stability, DNA damage response and repair, DNA replication and replication stress, telomere biology, chromatin biology, epigenetics, or gene regulation in cancer. Research programs that investigate how alterations in these fundamental cellular processes contribute to genomic instability, cancer initiation and progression, treatment resistance, or the identification of new therapeutic vulnerabilities are particularly encouraged.
Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:
• Mechanisms of DNA damage recognition and repair
• Genome stability and chromosomal rearrangements
• DNA replication and replication stress
• Telomere maintenance and alternative mechanisms of telomere lengthening
• Chromatin organization and epigenetic regulation
• Interactions between DNA repair, replication, and chromatin signaling
• Molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and therapeutic resistance
• Identification and validation of molecular vulnerabilities that may provide opportunities for new cancer therapies
The successful candidate will be expected to develop a creative, rigorous, and independent research program with strong potential for sustained extramural funding and high-impact publication. The candidate will also be expected to participate actively in the collaborative scientific environment of the Department of Cancer Biology and the University of Kansas Cancer Center and to develop productive interactions with investigators across basic, translational, and clinical cancer research.
The Department is particularly interested in candidates whose research will complement and expand existing strengths in DNA damage and repair, genome maintenance, cancer genetics and epigenetics, tumor biology, therapeutic development, and mechanisms of treatment response. Opportunities exist for interdisciplinary collaborations across the University of Kansas Medical Center and the NCI-designated University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Job Description:

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Work with PI/faculty mentor, to design and perform research focused on relevant research areas in Cancer Biology.

• Interpret experimental results and data, to use in publications, grants and determine next steps needed to move the research forward.

• Perform routine animal maintenance, surgery, and model generation. 

• Assist PI with drafting grant proposals and manuscripts. 

• Develop own research program including writing grant proposals and publication of research. 

• Train and mentor students, postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants. 

• Present research aims and findings at department seminars and at scientific meetings. Write and publish their results as first author in abstracts, manuscripts, and posters.

• Interact with KU Cancer Center donors and local cancer affiliates.

• Attend and maintain compliance on all orientation and training sessions designated by the University and the Cancer Biology Department, understand and follow IACUC and biosafety protocols, and attend departmental seminars and regular lab meetings.

• Perform routine lab maintenance and ordering of supplies. 

• Perform other duties as assigned by faculty mentor, including outreach to prospective minority students. 

• Participate in successful planning, execution, publication, and presentation of experiments. 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Ph.D. in one of the biological, (bio)chemical, or (bio)engineering sciences.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position.  The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Work Experience:

• Three or more years of research experience as a Postdoctoral Scholar of Research Scientist

Preferred Qualifications:

Work Experience:

• Three or more years of research experience working in Cancer Biology or a related field.

• Experience in managing collaborative research projects. 

• Advanced animal research experience.

• Biochemical and/or biological knowledge.

• Expert knowledge in DNA integrity research

Skills: ​

• Critical thinking, interpersonal relationship, and technical skills. 

• Communication skills for presenting, grant writing and manuscript submittals.

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

If selected as a final candidate for this position, you may be required to complete the Association of American of Universities Representations and Warranties document and sign a release of records that will allow the University of Kansas Medical Center to conduct a further background check with former employers.  A copy of the Representations and Warranties document can be found here.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time