Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) center is a collaborative institution within the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The Knight Cancer Institute, known as one of the pioneers in personalized cancer medicine, is an international leader in research and cancer treatment. At CEDAR our mission is to detect and stop lethal cancers at the earliest stage because early detection saves lives. This is an ambitious goal, one that requires novelty, creativity, and innovation. We are composed of biologists, chemists, biomedical engineers, computationalists, and clinicians conducting groundbreaking translational cancer research to help people maintain a high quality of life and reduce cancer mortality, to create a global early detection community, and to have a positive impact on the Oregon economy.
CEDAR is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. We at CEDAR are dedicated to promoting inclusion and multiculturalism to build a successful organization by having outstanding researchers of diverse backgrounds work together on multiple projects. We encourage high-risk, high-reward research projects because defeating cancer requires unproven, out-of-the-box thinking. Our research is milestone driven to ensure that each project is fulfilling its stated goals.
A successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Carolyn Schutt Ibsen and other CEDAR researchers to develop key technology platforms involving stimuli-responsive hydrogel scaffolds for 3D culture, drug delivery nanomaterials, and 3D bioprinting with applications in tissue engineering and modeling tumor progression.
We are currently hiring for 1-2 highly motivated fellows with expertise in Biomaterials to work in the following general areas:
Stimuli-responsive hydrogel scaffolds for 3D cell culture developing new smart hydrogel-based materials for applications in tumor modeling and tissue engineering. This work will explore the use physical-stimuli responsive biomaterial scaffolds that enable spatiotemporal control of cue delivery (Gelmi and Schutt, 2021; Nele, Schutt, et al . 2020). Includes modification and functionalization of hydrogel polymer systems, cell culture within 3D engineered scaffolds and use of imaging and characterization techniques including confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence imaging. This position will utilize high-end instrumentation with access to the OHSU Advanced Light Microscopy Core and Multiscale Microscopy Core.
Drug and gene delivery nanomaterial engineering fabrication and functionalization of nano and micro-particles, including external stimuli-responsive particles (Schutt et al. 2017, Schutt et al. 2015) for delivery of small molecule, protein or nucleic acid cargoes, and characterization via techniques including NTA, DLS/zetasizer, super-resolution microscopy, and electron microscopy via state-of-the-art instrumentation.
3D bioprinting of complex tissue constructs development of complex multi-typic bioprinted systems for applications in tumor modeling and tissue engineering. Includes development and modification of bioinks, printing parameters and techniques (e.g. FRESH bioprinting) and culture protocols as well as advanced imaging and characterization techniques
References:
Gelmi A and Schutt CE . Stimuli-Responsive Biomaterials: Scaffolds for Stem Cell Control. Advanced Healthcare Materials . 2021 Jan; 10(1):e2001125.
Schutt CE , Ibsen S, Zahavy E, Aryal S, Kuo S, Esener S, Berns M, Esener S. Drug Delivery Nanoparticles with Locally Tunable Toxicity Made Entirely from a Light-Activatable Prodrug of Doxorubicin. Pharmaceutical Research. 2017 Oct; 34(10):2025-2035.
Schutt CE , Ibsen SD, Benchimol MJ, Hsu MJ, Esener SC. Manipulating nanoscale features on the surface of dye-loaded microbubbles to increase their ultrasound-modulated fluorescence output. Small. 2014 Aug 27;10(16):3316-24.
The OHSU Fellowship for Diversity in Research seeks to address the need for increased representation of minoritized races/ethnicities in STEM at the postdoctoral level. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply. Visit www.ohsu.edu/ofdir for more information.
Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles:
We act BOLDLYBreakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
We SUPPORT each otherRespect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
We work as a CONNECTED team We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone
Duties Include:
Prepare manuscripts, and present research findings as abstracts or oral presentations (travel may be required)
Attend weekly group meetings and 1:1 meetings to: 1) present data and interpretation of results; 2) troubleshoot research results and 3) suggest next steps
Attend research related meetings including but not limited to Thursday PM SPORE seminars, Cancer Biology meetings, journal clubs
Perform experiments utilizing appropriate lab or computational techniques with proficiency, evaluate results, and determine the next steps to complete project and present data. Think independently and problem solve. Stay on top of the literature and build skills to maximize the projects potential.
Duties as assigned
PhD with major coursework in the one of the following areas: Optics, microscopy, biophysics or related field
Minimum of 3 years as a graduate student
Specialty: Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials, Engineering, Chemistry/Materials Chemistry or related field
Excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems
Passion for science and inquiry
Ability to synthesize ones own results and others to formulate hypotheses
Must possess energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships
Ability to synthesize scientific projects and communicate science to diverse audiences
Experience with cell culture
Experience with data analysis
Apply online. To be considered, please be sure to upload a Cover Letter and Resume/CV.
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.
As the state's only health and research university, OHSU brings together patient care, research, education of the next generation of health care providers and scientists and community service to improve the health and well-being of all Oregonians.The university is a conduit for learning for more than 2,800 students, providing training to interns, residents and fellows in postgraduate medical and research. It is the only place in Oregon that grants doctoral degrees in medicine, dentistry and nursing. OHSU cares for more than 251,000 patients each year from around the region and takes a leadership role in contributing to solutions involving the health of the state and the nation, such as health care access and transparency, ethics and workforce shortage. Beyond providing critical health care services, quality education and cutting-edge research, OHSU also is a key economic and social force in the Northwest. With an annual operating budget of $2.06 billion and more than 14,000 employees, OHSU is Portland?s largest employer. Its size contributes to its ability to provide... many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in Oregon. For more information visit http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/index.cfm
