Post Doc Position: Focus on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dynamics and Leukemia Clonal Evolution in Fanconi Anemia
Job Location: Czechowicz Laboratory | Biomedical Innovations Building, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
The Czechowicz Laboratory has an opening for a creative, collaborative and motivated postdoctoral fellow with an interest in translational biomedical research with a focus on hematopoiesis, leukemic transformation and bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The successful candidate will join the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and will be given the opportunity to lead several exciting and innovative translational projects focusing specifically on Fanconi anemia, a particularly devastating bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition syndrome, driven by DNA repair deficiency.
Our laboratory has extensive experience in hematopoiesis and hematopoietic cell transplantation, and in particular we have pioneered non-genotoxic conditioning methods to make these procedures safer and more effective. We are now working to translate these new conditioning approaches to enable safe and effective BMT in Fanconi anemia patients. Further, with an industry partner, we are also working on development of ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy to treat the hematopoietic deficiencies in Fanconi anemia.
The postdoc selected to join our laboratory will work to develop and continue projects in the lab that are at the interface of clinical research and basic biomedical science. The selected postdoc will work closely with the clinical team to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new therapeutic modalities for treatment of bone marrow failure and leukemia in Fanconi anemia patients. Additionally, the selected postdoc will work to elucidate underlying mechanisms that drive bone marrow failure and leukemia development in Fanconi anemia using human patient samples and mouse models.
Potential specific project aims include:
- Evaluating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell dynamics in Fanconi anemia and changes following various innovative treatment modalities using Fanconi anemia clinical samples and mouse models
- Increasing our understanding of clonal hematopoiesis, bone marrow failure and leukemia development in Fanconi anemia in order to potentially identify novel targets and develop new treatment strategies
- Investigating the bone marrow microenvironment in settings of bone marrow failure and leukemogenesis with a focus on disease evolution in Fanconi anemia
The scope of our research employs a wide range for techniques including human clinical sample processing, flow cytometry, RNASeq/single cell transcriptome analysis, high-through put sequencing, DNA damage analysis, in vivo mouse disease models, humanized-mouse models, bone marrow transplantation, molecular cloning, tissue culture, proteomics, confocal microscopy and lentiviral transduction.
The postdoctoral fellow will have individualized mentorship tailored to his or her personal career and publications goals including regular meetings with Dr. Czechowicz to guarantee a successful fellowship. The fellow will also engage in a vibrant scientific discourse with the spectacular Stanford stem cell community and enjoy a positive and impact-oriented work environment. The fellow will also be expected to occasionally teach or mentor students and to help foster a productive learning environment, and additionally the fellow will have opportunities for clinical exposure if interested.
It is intended that the postdoctoral fellow will contribute to making important biomedical discoveries, and simultaneously grow through this position and develop the skills necessary to become a strong contributor to the advancement of science and/or medicine. This is an ideal role for fellows looking for subsequent opportunities in academia, industry or other associated business areas.
Requirements:
Postdoctoral fellow candidates must have a PhD, MD or MD/PhD. Candidates must have gained knowledge in hematopoiesis and/or cancer research, and be interested in bone marrow transplantation. Further, a prior background in DNA repair and/or Fanconi anemia would be a significant plus. In order to be considered, candidates should have:
· demonstrated the ability to work independently
· shown initiative and prior research productivity
· attention to details
· strong motivation to explore new techniques and concepts
· collaborative team spirit
· excellent communication skills
· positive attitude
· adherence to highest ethical principles
Candidates with interest in translational biomedical research and prior experience in Fanconi anemia, hematopoiesis, leukemia, cancer biology, cell therapy, DNA repair, and/or bone marrow transplantation are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please email an updated CV, complete contact information for three references and a short cover letter describing past research experience, career goals and a statement of future research interest (1 page) to Beatrice Raquel Ochoa at beatrice.ochoa@stanford.edu.