Careers and Jobs

The laboratory of Dr. Kathy Shair is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral candidate to study Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. in the field of virology or cancer biology. Applicants should have a strong affinity for interdisciplinary science. Experience with herpesvirus reactivation, viral gene regulation, or the use of 3-D cell culture models will be highly ranked. This project will take advantage of state-of-the-art 3-D organotypic rafts and air-liquid interface (ALI) culture systems developed by the Shair lab to investigate EBV molecular pathogenesis in the nasopharyngeal epithelium. The successful candidate will be trained on 3-D cell culture and will have exciting opportunities to work with bioinformaticians and physician-scientists. The ideal candidate will have independent thinking, experimental rigor, and evidence of scientific writing and presentation. 

The Shair laboratory uses 3-D cell culture models and bioinformatics to elucidate EBV molecular pathogenesis in NPC. The lab is collaborative with projects that involve systems biology (single-cell RNA-sequencing) and the use of human samples that are processed in a BSL2+ facility. Current projects include: 1) viral and cellular determinants of EBV latent and lytic infection in the nasopharyngeal epithelium; 2) discovery of biomarkers for the early detection and risk assessment of NPC and 3) EBV oncogenic signaling mechanisms. Our mission is to understand the molecular basis of EBV oncogenesis and how the regulation of EBV latent-lytic infection contributes to cancer. The University of Pittsburgh consistently ranks in the top 5 of NIH biomedical research funding. The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center that was recently ranked #7 by US News & World Report. The Shair lab is part of the Cancer Virology Program in the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center where there are excellent shared facilities and training opportunities for PhD-level scientists. Shair lab members are encouraged to take advantage of the Cancer Center-led Women’s Task Force and other Institutional career development opportunities administered through the Postdoctoral Affairs Office. 

Interested Candidates should apply at the following link: Job Description - Post Doctoral Associate (22000453) (taleo.net)