Postdoctoral Fellow - Infectious Disease & Infection Control-Research
- Requisition #: 600702-202601291323
- Department: Infectious Dis&Inftn Ctrl-Rsch
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 1/26/2026
A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in the laboratory of Dr. David Tweardy in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The Tweardy Laboratory focuses on the discovery and pre-clinical development of small-molecule inhibitors and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that target well-validated and heretofore un-drugged disease-causing proteins, including STAT3 and RASH3D19, for the treatment of cancer and fibrosis. TTI-101, a small molecule his group discovered that selectively targets the STAT3 SH2 domain, is being tested in patients for treatment of liver cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
The efforts of this Postdoctoral Fellow will focus on identifying candidate small-molecules and peptides that block the binding of RASH3D19 SH3 domains (D and E) to the proline-rich region (PRR) of SOS2 using surface plasmon resonance. Promising candidates will advance to hit-to-lead efforts and be tested in mouse models of mutant RAS-driven cancers.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The Postdoctoral Fellow will receive training in advanced biochemical, biophysical, and molecular and cellular biological techniques. They will be expected to perform the following:
1. Experimental Design & Execution: Exercise imagination and initiative in planning and executing experiments: 1) to determine the specific contributions of SH3 domain D alone, domain E alone, and the combination of SH3 domains D and E to affinity of binding to SOS2 PRR; 2) to identify the specific amino acid residues within the SOS2 PRR that contribute to the affinity of binding; 3) develop and execute rationale and practical strategies for reducing affinity of binding through identification of small peptides and small molecules that interfere with binding; and 4) design and develop PROTACS that cause degradation of RASH3D19.
2. In Vitro Techniques: Master and perform wet-lab techniques, particularly SPR (or similar technology), along with cDNA cloning and mutagenesis, bacterial protein expression and purification, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting.
3. Data Analysis & Communication: Record and evaluate data meticulously; draft progress reports, abstracts, and manuscripts; and present findings at lab meetings and scientific conferences.
4. Grant Writing: Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and senior staff to assist in the preparation of grant requests and reports.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications are invited from qualified individuals with a PhD or MD/PhD in biological sciences. The preferred candidate should have less than 2 years of prior postdoctoral experience.
Job Knowledge and Skills:
1. Scientific Background: Strong background in protein chemistry, molecular biology and cellular biology is required.
5. Technical Expertise: Experience in SPR (or similar technology), cDNA cloning and mutagenesis, bacterial protein expression and protein purification, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting is highly desired.
2. Animal Experience: Not required.
3. Professional and Emotional Skills: Rigorous and accurate experimental techniques; enthusiasm; high degree of self-motivation; ability to function independently and to work productively and collaboratively with other team members. Must possess command of the written and spoken English language and have a prior publication record.
POSITION INFORMATION
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 efforts of this Postdoctoral Fellow will focus on identifying candidate small-molecules and peptides that block the binding of RASH3D19 SH3 domains (D and E) to the proline-rich region (PRR) of SOS2 using surface plasmon resonance. Promising candidates will advance to hit-to-lead efforts and be tested in mouse models of mutant RAS-driven cancers.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The Postdoctoral Fellow will receive training in advanced biochemical, biophysical, and molecular and cellular biological techniques. They will be expected to perform the following:
1. Experimental Design & Execution: Exercise imagination and initiative in planning and executing experiments: 1) to determine the specific contributions of SH3 domain D alone, domain E alone, and the combination of SH3 domains D and E to affinity of binding to SOS2 PRR; 2) to identify the specific amino acid residues within the SOS2 PRR that contribute to the affinity of binding; 3) develop and execute rationale and practical strategies for reducing affinity of binding through identification of small peptides and small molecules that interfere with binding; and 4) design and develop PROTACS that cause degradation of RASH3D19.
2. In Vitro Techniques: Master and perform wet-lab techniques, particularly SPR (or similar technology), along with cDNA cloning and mutagenesis, bacterial protein expression and purification, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting.
3. Data Analysis & Communication: Record and evaluate data meticulously; draft progress reports, abstracts, and manuscripts; and present findings at lab meetings and scientific conferences.
4. Grant Writing: Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and senior staff to assist in the preparation of grant requests and reports.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applications are invited from qualified individuals with a PhD or MD/PhD in biological sciences. The preferred candidate should have less than 2 years of prior postdoctoral experience.
Job Knowledge and Skills:
1. Scientific Background: Strong background in protein chemistry, molecular biology and cellular biology is required.
5. Technical Expertise: Experience in SPR (or similar technology), cDNA cloning and mutagenesis, bacterial protein expression and protein purification, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting is highly desired.
2. Animal Experience: Not required.
3. Professional and Emotional Skills: Rigorous and accurate experimental techniques; enthusiasm; high degree of self-motivation; ability to function independently and to work productively and collaboratively with other team members. Must possess command of the written and spoken English language and have a prior publication record.
POSITION INFORMATION
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
