ASSISTANT RESEARCHER

The Assistant Researcher in the Translational Thoracic Oncology laboratory of Dr. Burt will perform research under his guidance, with opportunity to progress as an independent researcher. The primary study is investigating a novel platform of mass spectrometry (the MSPen) for the rapid diagnosis of lung cancer and rapid determination of clinically relevant driver mutations that decide systemic therapy (which currently require 10-14 days for resulting). The project extends to rapid intraoperative diagnosis of lung cancer and rapid assessment of microscopic surgical margins, a process that is currently antiquated, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. Novel MSPen probes for minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy are being designed, printed, and tested. In addition to lung cancer, MSPen projects in esophageal cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma have been initiated to solve similar conceptual and technologic gaps, and potentially accelerate patient care. In addition to this MSPen project, a second project of our laboratory investigates biomarkers of response and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. Both projects are funded by the NIH.

The Assistant Researcher will also be responsible for participating in the development of the Translational Thoracic Oncology research laboratory, in collaboration with Dr. Burt. Dr. Burt was recruited to UCLA as Professor and Chief of the Division of Thoracic surgery one year ago and his laboratory is established, stocked, staffed, and active (including the MSPen platform). The Assistant Researcher will work closely with Dr. Burt to prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals, prepare and present abstracts at national and international scientific meetings, and assist with the preparation of grant proposals. The Assistant Researcher may also help supervise other researchers in the lab including project scientists, post-doctoral scholars, and graduate and undergraduate students. The Assistant Researcher will have opportunity for advancement. Experience proteomics and or tumor immunology is desired. The Assistant Researcher position is a non-Senate position for 12-months in the first instance. Step is commensurate with experience.

Start Date; 12/2024

The assigned project is focused on the use of a novel mass spectrometry platform to improve the diagnosis, margin assessment, and clinical biomarkers in lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. The mass spectra dervied from this platform will be correlated with clinically cellular, spatial, genomic and clinical factors in these malignancies using other platforms that may include, but are not limited to, imaging mass cytometry, and spatial and single cell transcriptomics.

Specific Responsibilities include:
Responsibilities of this position include study design, data acquisition, statistical computation, and literature review and manuscript/grant preparation.
Additional Duties: Ability to work on multiple projects efficiently and effectively.• Ability to work independently on scientific projects.• Assist with preparation of grant proposals.• Preparation of manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.• Required to communicate well with other scientists at this and other institutions.• Candidate should have 3 years of experience in translational research in an academic setting or equivalent.• Experience in proteomics and/or tumor immunology is desired.• The candidate will report directly to the Principal Investigator whom they will work closely with, and will successfully carry out experiments and analyze the data generated with minimal supervision. •Will work closely with the Principal Investigator to further develop a growing translational research laboratory in the Division of Thoracic Surgery• Ability to handle several projects simultaneously. • Ability to help and train various personnel in platforms relevant to our projects and make significant contributions to the design and execution of other laboratory members' experiments. • Supervision of undergraduates, graduate students and new postdoctoral trainees in the lab.