A postdoctoral position is immediately available to study the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer metastasis at the Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology. We are interested in outstanding individuals who are interested in the problems of cancer metastasis and are eager to reveal the molecular mechanisms that govern this process.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process vital for morphogenesis during embryonic development, is attracting increasing attention from oncologists as a potential mechanism for the initial step of metastasis. Many genes implicated in EMT during embryogenesis are being discovered, one after another, to control metastasis. We are currently pursuing the functional regulation of Snail, a zinc-finger transcriptional repressor that was identified in Drosophila as a suppressor of the transcription of shotgun (an E-cadherin homologue) in the control of embryogenesis. Flies and mice without Snail are lethal because of severe defects at the gastrula stage during development. Expression of Snail correlates with the tumor grade and nodal metastasis of many types of tumor and predicts a poor outcome in patients with metastatic cancer. We recently found that Snail is highly unstable with a short half-life of only about 25 minutes and the activity of Snail is mainly regulated by the stability of the protein and its cellular location. We are currently employing biochemical, molecular, and cellular approaches to study the functional regulation of Snail in breast cancer and will apply the knowledge that we gained for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of metastatic breast cancer in a long run.

Highly motivated candidates with strong experimental experience in molecular biology signaling transduction, and biochemistry are encouraged to apply. All applications should contain a current curriculum vitae, list of publications and the names and contact information of three references.  Send all inquiries to :Binhua P. Zhou, MD., Ph.D., Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, http://www.utmb.edu/scccb/, email: reply.scccb@utmb.edu.

UTMB is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

A postdoctoral/research assistant position is available immediately to participate in studies on cMet receptor signaling, with a particular emphasis on the mechanistic relationship between receptor trafficking and signaling in human cancers.  A Ph. D. in Molecular and Cell Biology, or a related field is required for the Postdoctoral position.  Minimally a B.S. is required for Research Assistant applicants. Experience in molecular biology and tissue culture techniques are preferred but are not essential. The position offers an excellent research environment and opportunity for career development.  All applications should contain a current curriculum vitae, list of publications, and the names and contact information of three references. Send all inquires to:  Lisa Elferink, Ph.D., Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, http://www.utmb.edu/scccb/, email: reply.scccb@utmb.edu.   

UTMB is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Cancer cell biology lab seeks PhD or MD/PhD with less than 1 year post-doctoral experience.  Primary duties will be to help develop projects on tumor cell invasion and metastasis investigating the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in cell motility and signal transduction using genomic and proteomic approaches.  Preferred skills include molecular biology, cell culture and protein purification.  Experience with transgenic mice preferred but not required.  Fluorescence and confocal microscopy skills desired.  All applications should contain a current curriculum vitae, list of publications and the names and contact information of three references.  Send all inquiries to: Sarita K. Sastry, Ph.D., Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, http://www.utmb.edu/scccb/,  email: reply.scccb@utmb.edu.

UTMB is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

A postdoctoral position is available immediately to work within a multidisciplinary program to study developmental biology using Drosophila as a model system. The successful candidate will join our group to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Hedgehog signal transduction with Drosophila as a model system (see recent publications: Genes and Development 2007, 21:1949-1963; Developmental Cell 2005, 9:819-830; Nature 2004, 432: 1045-1050). Recent Ph.D. with demonstrated records in molecular biology, cell biology or developmental biology is preferred. Please send curriculum vitae and names of three references to Dr. Jianhang Jia, Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Dr. MRB9.138B. Galveston, TX 77555-1048. Email:jijia@UTMB.edu. Website: Faculty Investigator - Jianhang Jia, Ph.D.

UTMB is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

A postdoctoral position is available immediately to study signal transduction pathways regulating intestinal cell function (i.e., proliferation and differentiation).  The emphasis of the laboratory is on understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating PI3K/PTEN function in the intestine and downstream effector proteins for this pathway.  A Ph.D. in biochemistry or cell and molecular biology is required.  Experience in state-of-the-art molecular techniques and cell culture is required.  In addition, other unique experience such as models utilizing transgenic animals or drosophila is preferred.  The position offers an excellent, highly interactive and collaborative research environment with opportunity for career development.  All applications should contain a current curriculum vitae, list of publications and the names and contact information of three references.  Send all inquiries to B. Mark Evers, M.D., Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, http://www.utmb.edu/scccb/  email: reply.scccb@utmb.edu.

UTMB is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

A postdoctoral position is available immediately to study molecular mechanisms of aging in the GI tract.  The emphasis of the laboratory is on understanding the effects of aging on normal intestinal or pancreatic cell homeostasis.  A Ph.D. in biochemistry or cell and molecular biology is required.  Experience in state-of-the-art molecular techniques, cell culture and in vivo models is required.  In addition, other unique experience such as genomics and proteomics techniques and stem cell biology is preferred.  The position offers an excellent, highly interactive and collaborative research environment with opportunity for career development.  All applications should contain a current curriculum vitae, list of publications and the names and contact information of three references.  Send all inquiries to B. Mark Evers, M.D., Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, http://www.utmb.edu/scccb/  email: reply.scccb@utmb.edu.

UTMB is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

A postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Tianyan Gao’s laboratory at the Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology to study molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of a novel protein phosphatase. Research involves identification of novel interacting proteins, biochemical characterization of signal transduction pathways governing the phosphatase activity, and investigation of the tumor suppressor function of the phosphatase in mouse models.  Experience in molecular and cellular biology, signaling transduction, cancer biology, and mouse models is preferred. Please submit curriculum vitae, summary of research experience, and contact information of three references.  Send all inquiries to Tianyan Gao, Ph.D., Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, http://www.utmb.edu/scccb/ email:  reply.scccb@utmb.edu.

UTMB is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.