Thank you for your interest.  Please note, the purpose of this posting is to recruit for on-going and future positions.  

About City of Hope
City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution with over 6,000 employees, is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases and guided by a compassionate,

patient-centered philosophy.
 
Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Duarte, California, City of Hope is a remarkable non-profit institution, where compassion and advanced care go hand-in-hand with excellence in clinical and scientific research.  City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers that develops and institutes standards of care for cancer treatment.

We are seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate II to work in the laboratory of Dr. Ajay Goel at the City of Hope. We are focused on understanding the interplay between genetic and epigenetic alterations in colorectal, pancreatic, gastric and esophageal cancers.  Our goal is to develop novel diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers, as well as therapeutic targets for GI cancers.  We are a multidisciplinary research group comprising of biologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists and bioinformaticians, undertaking a number of collaborative projects involving large international consortia. 

Under general supervision of the Principal Investigator, or designee, the Research Associate II (RAII) directs the work of a laboratory or undertakes research projects in collaboration with academic supervisor, making innovative contributions pertaining to laboratory procedures which may not change the course of an investigation but do indicate significant independent contribution beyond the RA I level. RAII typically consults with the academic supervisor on the scope and plan of approach to a research project; reads abstracts and articles; organize and plan techniques; plan and assign the work of at least one lab staff advising on problems they are unable to solve; contribute original ideas to the laboratory research; standardize new techniques and train staff on these techniques; perform specialized procedures and prepare written reports of laboratory experimental methods.

The projects will involve any/all of the following research focuses:

• Exploration of the role of aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs (miRNA, lncRNAs, snoRNAs, piRNAs etc.) in gastrointestinal cancers.
• Establishment of innovative methodologies for the development of epigenetic and non-coding RNAs-based biomarkers for the earlier diagnosis, prognosis and predictive responses to chemotherapy in gastrointestinal neoplasia
• Understanding the genetic basis of early-onset and familial colorectal cancers
• Molecular mechanisms of cancer chemotherapy, stem cells, chemo-resistance and chemo-sensitization
• Gut microbiome and its influence on gastrointestinal cancers

The individual will perform Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics techniques and general lab maintenance that assists the conduction of an Investigator’s Research Project. They must demonstrate an aptitude for acquiring knowledge and new skills that relate to Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics.

• Performs a variety of routine and non-routine laboratory research experiments. Records and validates results for accuracy and completeness.
• Troubleshoots procedures if experiment results are unexpected or unsatisfactory. Recommends alternative procedures.
• Responsible for accurately recording work performed including results and methodology.  Calculates, compiles and analyzes data obtained from work performed.
• Independently evaluates research data and initiates alternative approaches to improve the quality of results by providing input to overall research design. Trains lab staff in specialized procedures, equipment and theoretical concepts behind unique tests.
• May contribute to the preparation of manuscripts by describing methods and specialized techniques.  Keeps abreast of new and improved techniques.
• Ensures that all laboratory activities are carried out in compliance with each procedure(s) by utilizing safety procedures and guidelines in handling, storage and disposal of bio-hazardous, infectious and toxic material.
• Attends lab meetings, read assigned literature and occasionally create presentations on his/her project at the request of the Investigator.
• Assist and preform Immunology techniques such as tissue culture, flow cytometry (analysis), and/or molecular tests, according to the Laboratory’s Standard Operating Procedures. Have the ability to use all equipment and apparatus necessary for work performance. Always work according to the policies for safe Laboratory practices as established by Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope.
• Perform routine laboratory cleaning and maintenance according to Standard Operating Procedures such as using appropriate cleaners to wipe bench and hood surfaces, incubators, water baths and other equipment or apparatus.  Monitor equipment for optimal performance. 
• Record all experiments performed and data generated in a laboratory notebook according to the policy and procedure established by Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.