Postdoctoral Fellowships Available in Training Program in the Molecular Basis of Skin/Mucosa Pathobiology (NIH/NCI Training Program)

Three  positions for recent Ph.D.s, M.D.,Ph.D.s or M.D.s who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents are open each year in an NIH-funded program for training highly qualified candidates for academic careers in basic and translational research in skin diseases, including cancer and psoriasis. The OHSU Department of Dermatology has a strong history of clinical and scientific research and a 40-year record in training dermatology residents including physician scientists and postdoctoral scientists on the path to independence.

Training program faculty

The core of Dermatology faculty includes:

• Program director Molly Kulesz-Martin (E-3 ligases in skin carcinogenesis, tumor suppressor p53, p73)
• Pamela Cassidy (melanoma chemoprevention)
• Sancy Leachman (melanoma genetics)
• Amanda Lund (lymphatic vasculature in the induction and regulation of immune responses in skin)
• Melissa Wong (beta-catenin pathway, tumor stem cells of intestinal mucosa)

A multidisciplinary network of scientists with international recognition in areas highly relevant to epithelial cell fate, development and diseases, including:

• Lisa M. Coussens (molecular and cellular pathways regulating cancer-associated inflammation accompanying solid tumor development)
• Rosalie Sears (cancer genetics regulating the c-Myc oncoprotein in head & neck and skin SCC)
• Philip Stork (Ras and B-Raf signaling in growth and apoptosis)

Features of the program

The training program includes:

• Seminars and journal club meetings in mentors’ departments:
  • Dermatology
  • Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology
  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Molecular & Medical Genetics
  • Molecular Microbiology & Immunology
• Dermatology Research Division lab meetings and symposia
• Research forums tailored to postdoctoral students
• Travel to national/international meetings in cutaneous biology

Successful candidates desiring an academic career in basic or translational research in cancer or investigative dermatology using surface epithelial models can expect to receive training toward independence in research with a strong clinical translational component. Criteria will include potential for independence, letters of recommendation, publications and potential for basic or translational research impact in human epithelial health and diseases. OHSU is an equal opportunity employer; we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds that may be underrepresented in academics and science.