Postdoctoral Fellow - Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis
- Requisition #: 185800-202611091139
- Department: Epigenet & Mol Carcinogenesis
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 11/5/2026
The Zhe Laboratory, led by Dr. Zheqi (Vaciry) Li, in the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is seeking highly motivated and creative postdoctoral fellows to join an interdisciplinary research program aimed at elucidating core principles at the intersection of metabolism and epigenetics that govern breast cancer initiation and progression.
The postdoctoral fellow will lead hypothesis-driven research projects using a combination of molecular and cellular biology, functional genomics, genome engineering, computational biology, advanced imaging, single-cell and spatial multi-omics, and advanced breast cancer models. The fellow will be expected to work independently, develop innovative research questions, design and execute rigorous experiments, analyze and interpret complex datasets, apply computational and statistical approaches when appropriate, and drive projects toward high-impact publications.
A major research direction in our laboratory is to understand how environmental and dietary factors, particularly obesity, reshape the cancer epigenome and influence tumor evolution, therapeutic resistance, and immune evasion. Ultimately, we aim to identify novel therapeutic and preventive strategies to improve breast cancer outcomes in individuals with obesity. Within this broader focus on cancer epigenetics, we place particular emphasis on unconventional mechanisms of epigenetic regulation, especially histone proteolytic cleavage, and their biological and clinical significance in human cancer, building on an established foundation of preliminary findings and research resources.
Our laboratory is committed to conducting rigorous, mechanistic, and innovative research to advance our understanding of cancer biology and uncover discoveries with meaningful clinical implications. Equally important, we strive to foster a healthy, collaborative, and supportive research environment that values work-life balance and the personal and professional growth of every team member.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Fellows will have opportunities to strengthen their scientific communication, writing, and presentation skills through regular laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, scientific forums, contributions to review articles, and participation in national and international conferences. They will also be encouraged to develop an independent scientific vision and prepare for future careers as independent investigators through opportunities to write and submit grant applications and mentor junior research assistants and graduate students.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Qualified candidates should have:
• A Ph.D. (or equivalent) in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, computational biology, or a related discipline.
• A strong record of scientific productivity, demonstrated by high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• A collaborative and curious mindset, with enthusiasm for exploring novel scientific hypotheses and tackling challenging research questions.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: breast cancer biology and epigenetics (particularly chromatin and histone biology). Additional expertise in cancer metabolism, immunology, or cancer evolution is preferred.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: molecular and cellular biology, functional genomics, genome engineering, or animal cancer modeling (experience with mouse and rat models is particularly desirable).
• Experience in multi-omics data analysis is encouraged but not required. Hands-on training will be provided, and candidates should demonstrate a willingness and enthusiasm to develop computational and data analysis skills.
We are particularly interested in candidates who are enthusiastic about refining experimental models and addressing technically challenging questions through innovative approaches, genomic engineering, and advanced cancer modeling.
We invite applications from researchers with a strong interest in epigenetics and breast cancer. Highly motivated fellows will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a dynamic and collaborative environment, with access to extensive computational, genomic, and translational research resources. We are particularly interested in candidates who are intellectually curious, scientifically ambitious, and enthusiastic about developing innovative approaches to address fundamental questions in cancer biology. Candidates should demonstrate strong scientific problem-solving skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work collaboratively in a supportive and collegial research environment.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
Dr. Zheqi (Vaciry) Li is an incoming tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, with an anticipated start date of May 2027. Accordingly, the selected candidate is expected to begin their appointment no earlier than May 2027.
As the laboratory is being established ahead of its official launch, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Li directly at Zheqi_li@dfci.harvard.edu by sending their CV and a brief statement of research interests, to discuss this opportunity, and next steps before submitting a formal application through the institutional recruitment website.
Dr. Li is an NIH/NCI K99/R00 awardee and a CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research, supported by a substantial CPRIT Recruitment Award to establish his independent research program. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his postdoctoral training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, where he currently serves as an Instructor in Medicine. He has an extensive research background and a strong passion for breast cancer research, with contributions spanning hormone receptor biology, cancer epigenetics, computational biology, immunology, metabolism, and translational and clinical research. He has co-authored 46 peer-reviewed publications, including 15 first- or co-first-author papers in leading journals such as Nature Genetics (2024), Cancer Cell (2026), Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024), Cancer Research (2022 and 2023), and Nature Communications (2022 and 2026).
Representative publications are listed below.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02197-z
https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108(26)00218-7
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176454
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76773-0
https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article-abstract/83/16/2656/728345
https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/82/7/1321/694048/Hotspot-ESR1-Mutations-Are-Multimodal-and
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29498-9
POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000. depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
The postdoctoral fellow will lead hypothesis-driven research projects using a combination of molecular and cellular biology, functional genomics, genome engineering, computational biology, advanced imaging, single-cell and spatial multi-omics, and advanced breast cancer models. The fellow will be expected to work independently, develop innovative research questions, design and execute rigorous experiments, analyze and interpret complex datasets, apply computational and statistical approaches when appropriate, and drive projects toward high-impact publications.
A major research direction in our laboratory is to understand how environmental and dietary factors, particularly obesity, reshape the cancer epigenome and influence tumor evolution, therapeutic resistance, and immune evasion. Ultimately, we aim to identify novel therapeutic and preventive strategies to improve breast cancer outcomes in individuals with obesity. Within this broader focus on cancer epigenetics, we place particular emphasis on unconventional mechanisms of epigenetic regulation, especially histone proteolytic cleavage, and their biological and clinical significance in human cancer, building on an established foundation of preliminary findings and research resources.
Our laboratory is committed to conducting rigorous, mechanistic, and innovative research to advance our understanding of cancer biology and uncover discoveries with meaningful clinical implications. Equally important, we strive to foster a healthy, collaborative, and supportive research environment that values work-life balance and the personal and professional growth of every team member.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Fellows will have opportunities to strengthen their scientific communication, writing, and presentation skills through regular laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, scientific forums, contributions to review articles, and participation in national and international conferences. They will also be encouraged to develop an independent scientific vision and prepare for future careers as independent investigators through opportunities to write and submit grant applications and mentor junior research assistants and graduate students.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Qualified candidates should have:
• A Ph.D. (or equivalent) in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, computational biology, or a related discipline.
• A strong record of scientific productivity, demonstrated by high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• A collaborative and curious mindset, with enthusiasm for exploring novel scientific hypotheses and tackling challenging research questions.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: breast cancer biology and epigenetics (particularly chromatin and histone biology). Additional expertise in cancer metabolism, immunology, or cancer evolution is preferred.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: molecular and cellular biology, functional genomics, genome engineering, or animal cancer modeling (experience with mouse and rat models is particularly desirable).
• Experience in multi-omics data analysis is encouraged but not required. Hands-on training will be provided, and candidates should demonstrate a willingness and enthusiasm to develop computational and data analysis skills.
We are particularly interested in candidates who are enthusiastic about refining experimental models and addressing technically challenging questions through innovative approaches, genomic engineering, and advanced cancer modeling.
We invite applications from researchers with a strong interest in epigenetics and breast cancer. Highly motivated fellows will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a dynamic and collaborative environment, with access to extensive computational, genomic, and translational research resources. We are particularly interested in candidates who are intellectually curious, scientifically ambitious, and enthusiastic about developing innovative approaches to address fundamental questions in cancer biology. Candidates should demonstrate strong scientific problem-solving skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work collaboratively in a supportive and collegial research environment.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
Dr. Zheqi (Vaciry) Li is an incoming tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, with an anticipated start date of May 2027. Accordingly, the selected candidate is expected to begin their appointment no earlier than May 2027.
As the laboratory is being established ahead of its official launch, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Li directly at Zheqi_li@dfci.harvard.edu by sending their CV and a brief statement of research interests, to discuss this opportunity, and next steps before submitting a formal application through the institutional recruitment website.
Dr. Li is an NIH/NCI K99/R00 awardee and a CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research, supported by a substantial CPRIT Recruitment Award to establish his independent research program. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his postdoctoral training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, where he currently serves as an Instructor in Medicine. He has an extensive research background and a strong passion for breast cancer research, with contributions spanning hormone receptor biology, cancer epigenetics, computational biology, immunology, metabolism, and translational and clinical research. He has co-authored 46 peer-reviewed publications, including 15 first- or co-first-author papers in leading journals such as Nature Genetics (2024), Cancer Cell (2026), Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024), Cancer Research (2022 and 2023), and Nature Communications (2022 and 2026).
Representative publications are listed below.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02197-z
https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108(26)00218-7
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/176454
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76773-0
https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article-abstract/83/16/2656/728345
https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/82/7/1321/694048/Hotspot-ESR1-Mutations-Are-Multimodal-and
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29498-9
POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000. depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
