Postdoctoral Fellow - Gene Expression Laboratory, Dr. Geoffrey Wahl

The research focuses on important problems related to cancer initiation, detection, progression, metastasis and treatment. These projects are based on our recent observations concerning cell state plasticity that arises during cancer progression. Specifically, we are using a single cell RNA sequencing, epigenetic profiling, and developing novel in vivo and in vitro strategies involving mouse models and organoid cultures to determine how cancer cells undergo developmental reprogramming to generate intra-tumoral heterogeneity and metastasis. We use computational methods based on mouse cancer models and human databases. Our work has focused significantly on breast cancer, but new studies have taken us into exciting directions involving cell state reprogramming involving acinar-ductal metaplasia in the genesis of pancreas cancer. Our long-term goals are to devise novel strategies to intercept cells undergoing reprogramming to reduce the probability that drug resistant or metastatic clones will arise or spread.

Recent publications include: 
Chung et al, 2019, Cell Reports: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31597106 
Giraddi et al, 2018, Cell Reports: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30089273 
Dravis et al, 2018, Cancer Cell: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30174241 
Wahl and Spike, 2017, NPJ Breast Cancer: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28649654 
Dravis et al, 2015, Cell Reports: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26365194

Position Description: 
THREE Funded post-doctoral positions are immediately available for individuals with a good grounding in molecular and/or developmental biology, methods such as CRISPR mediated genome editing, RNA-sequencing and epigenetics. Ideal candidates should be intellectually curious, productive, and enjoy working in a committed team effort to make these important projects succeed. The projects are well under way due to the efforts of a dedicated group of post-docs, technicians and undergrads.

Education: 
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, computational biology, or related fields; M.D./PhD highly encouraged to apply

Experience: 
Experience with computational biology, and/or developmental biology, epigenetics, molecular and embryologic techniques such as immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, RNA-sequencing, single cell methods for transcriptional analysis, ATAC-seq, PCR, and mouse genetic manipulations are highly desired.

Application Instructions: 
Applicants should submit a current CV, names of three references, and an indication of the experimental direction they would like to pursue based on their reading of our recent papers. Send applications to:

Contact Information:
Geoffrey M. Wahl, Ph.D
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Gene Expression Laboratory
10010 N. Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
Fax: (858) 457-2762
Email: wahl@salk.edu
https://wahl.salk.edu/