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$30.70 - $46.05A Postdoctoral Fellow in Resilience Research - Wake Forest University School of Medicine
A full-time Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Bumsoo Ahn, the Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The fellow will join a project entitled, “The BEAR Study: BioEnergetics of Resilience and Aging in Gynecologic Cancers,” which investigates the role of mitochondrial bioenergetic reserve and redox homeostasis in determining resistance to frontline cancer therapy in older adults and mice.
Project Overview
This fellow will focus on the mechanistic components of the proposal, where we use an aged mouse model of ovarian cancer treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel. The project examines whether enhancing mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity through endurance exercise improves resistance and resilience to chemotherapy-associated physical and cognitive decline. The work integrates mitochondrial physiology, redox biology, aging, cancer therapeutics, and behavioral neuroscience within a translational framework that bridges animal and human studies.
Responsibilities
The postdoctoral fellow will:
Lead preclinical experiments in aged tumor-bearing mice
Perform chemotherapy administration and exercise interventions
Conduct mitochondrial bioenergetic assessments (e.g., high-resolution respirometry)
Coordinate redox and proteomic analyses
Perform rodent behavioral testing (motor and cognitive assays)
Analyze and interpret data in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team
Contribute to manuscript preparation and grant development
Qualifications
Applicants within two years of completing a PhD in physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, cancer biology, or a related field.
Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:
Mitochondrial biology or bioenergetics
Redox biology
Aging research
Rodent behavioral testing
Exercise physiology
Cancer models and chemotherapy studies
Strong organizational skills, independence, and a record of peer-reviewed publications are expected.
Research Environment
The Ahn laboratory conducts mechanistic and translational research focused on mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox signaling, aging, and resilience. The fellow will work within a collaborative environment that includes clinical oncologists, behavioral neuroscientists, proteomics experts (including collaborators at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), and biostatisticians. The position offers strong mentorship in experimental design, high-impact publication strategy, and NIH career development pathways.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit:
Curriculum vitae
Brief statement of research interests and career goals
Contact information for three references
Applications and inquiries can be sent to:
Bumsoo Ahn, PhD
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Bumsoo.ahn@wfusm.edu
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Compensation
- Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
- Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
- Incentive pay for select positions
- Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
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- Paid Time Off programs
- Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
- Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
- Educational Assistance Program
About Advocate HealthÂ
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.
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