The goal of the Reitman Lab (
https://radonc.duke.edu/research/reitman-lab ) is to make discoveries that guide the design of improved treatment strategies for children and adults with brain tumors. We leverage molecular biology techniques, genetically engineered mouse models and cancer genomic approaches to carry out our work. The Reitman Lab is based in the Department of Radiation Oncology and the team works closely with the faculty and staff in the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, the Department of Pathology, and the Department of Neurosurgery and the Duke Cancer Institute. We are interested in several research themes, including:
(1) using primary genetically engineered mouse models of pediatric and adult brain tumors to study mechanisms of tumorigenesis, mechanisms of treatment resistance, and candidate therapeutic strategies
(2) identifying new therapeutic dependencies associated with frequent cancer mutations
(3) identifying methods to increase the efficacy and decrease toxicity of radiation therapy for brain tumor patients
(4) using single cell genomic techniques to understand tumor heterogeneity, to define brain tumor lineage of origin, and to improve diagnosis and treatment for brain tumor patients
The successful candidate will be to take a lead role on a new project to investigate interactions between the immune system and new treatments in mouse models of diffuse midline glioma, a lethal brain tumor that affects children and adults. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in molecular biology or a similar field. An ideal candidate will have experience in with the following skill sets: immunoblot, molecular cloning, PCR, mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, genetically engineered mouse colony maintenance, immunohistochemistry, light and fluorescence microscopy. An ideal candidate will be motivated to synthesize the data from the project and work together on manuscripts with the PI. The candidate will also serve as a leader in the lab, and help mentor other lab staff and trainees in new techniques and critical thinking skills.
The job duties include the following:
• Organize overall research plan, and design individual experiments.
• Develop and utilize novel and existing mouse models of brain tumors.
• Design and perform experiments involving ionizing radiation treatments to mice and cell lines.
• Design and perform experiments in genetically engineered mouse models of brain tumors, gene editing, molecular cloning, cell biology and biochemistry.
• Care for laboratory mice.
• Develop and utilize technology for analyzing signal transduction in vitro and vivo.
• Prepare manuscripts for scientific publication with PI supervision.
• Maintain an organized and complete electronic laboratory notebook detailing all experiments in paper and electronic formats.
• Keep PI informed by pointing out all important positive and negative results.
• Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Maintain safe and healthy work environment by complying with regulations and following standards and procedures.
• Protect organization's value by keeping research information confidential.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, networking and presenting at local, national and international meetings, and reading current primary literature.
• Provide a friendly working environment and be available to help teach research technicians and other trainees laboratory techniques and scientific methodology.
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