Staff Scientist

DepartmentBSD MED - Hematology and Oncology - Izumchenko Research Staff

About the DepartmentWe are aiming to recruit a skilled Staff Scientist to the Translational Head and Neck Cancer Research group led by Drs. Evgeny Izumchenko and Nishant Agrawal. Our focus is on understanding the complex interplay between the genetic and epigenetic alterations in head and neck carcinogenesis and progression, and on exploiting this understanding for developing novel biomarkers for diagnosis and risk stratification as well as in identifying targets for therapeutic intervention. Drs. Izumchenko and Agrawal lab is an integral component of the translational head and neck cancer research program at the University of Chicago, working collaboratively with the team of investigators with complementary and integrated expertise including surgeons, clinical oncologists, pathologists and computational biologists. Our group members are known for their contributions to the advancement of groundbreaking research, pursuing a diverse range of basic, translational, and clinical research projects on head and neck cancer genetics, microbiome, bioengineering, stem cell renewal, and immunotolerance.

Job SummaryThe Staff Scientist will design, plan and perform a variety of complex and technical experiments using both cellular and animal models in support of clinical and translational research studies conducted by principal investigators (PIs) for the research program to ensure adherence to clinical and experimental protocols and the quality of information received. In addition, the candidate will be responsible for data analysis, training new staff, managing research data, write manuscripts and assist with grant preparation and project management.

Responsibilities

Develop and design complex, hypothesis-driven experiments aligned with lab goals.

Independently conduct molecular, cellular, and in vivo experiments (e.g., cell culture, flow cytometry, animal models, CRISPR, omics technologies).

Implement state-of-the-art techniques in cancer biology, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and imaging.

Troubleshoot technical issues and optimize protocols.

Analyze large datasets from high-throughput experiments.

Perform statistical analysis and bioinformatics relevant to cancer research.

Interpret findings in the context of current scientific literature and cancer biology.

Identify novel biomarkers, drug targets, or mechanistic insights.

Lead multiple research projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.

Manage timelines, resources, and milestones effectively.

Coordinate collaborations with internal teams and external academic or industry partners.

Supervise and mentor junior staff, technicians, graduate students, or postdocs.

Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.

Contribute to grant writing, progress reports, and funding proposals.

Maintain detailed and accurate lab notebooks and documentation for reproducibility.

Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Facilitates and promotes a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.

Creates first drafts for scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.

Work Experience:Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

Experience working in Translational/Clinical research settings.

Experience facilitating and promoting a research project or contributing to the scientific direction of a research resource (core facility).

Preferred Competencies

Deep knowledge of cancer biology, including molecular pathways, tumor microenvironment, metastasis, and therapy resistance.

Familiarity with cancer models: xenografts, syngeneic models, PDX models, genetically engineered mouse models.

Knowledge of statistical methods and experimental design.

Ability to formulate hypotheses.

Ability to interpret omics datasets.

Strong writing skills.

Works effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)

Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job FamilyResearch

Role ImpactIndividual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours40

Drug Test RequiredNo

Health Screen RequiredNo

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry RequiredNo

Pay Rate TypeSalary

FLSA StatusExempt

Pay Range$80,000.00 - $100,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits EligibleYes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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