NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Salary Scale
Years of Experience: Stipend for FY 2025
0: $62,232
1: $62,652
2: $63,120
3: $65,640
4: $67,824
5: $70,344
6: $72,960
7 or More: $75,564

The Dhawan Lab is seeking a motivated wet-lab scientist to lead our expansion into RNA therapeutics. This role offers the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of basic RNA discovery and translational neuro-oncology within the Cleveland Clinic’s world-class research ecosystem.

Principal Investigator: Andrew Dhawan, MD, DPhil, FRCPC

Cleveland Clinic Research Department: Cancer Sciences

Lab Research Topics:

• Neuro-oncology
• RNA biology (non-coding RNA)
• Therapeutic resistance
• Functional Genomics
• For more information about the lab’s research, please visit:https://www.lerner.ccf.org/cardiovascular-metabolic/dhawan/ or contact Dr. Dhawan at [email protected].

Job Responsibilities:

• Independent project design with the goal of data generation, analysis, interpretation and manuscript preparation
• Lead independent research projects focused on understanding mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in brain tumors
• Develop and implement innovative non-coding RNA delivery strategies
• Optimize and perform specialized sequencing protocols
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students

Education:

• PhD or MD/PhD required
• MD with relevant laboratory experience may substitute for PhD

Languages:

• English Proficiency proof required for candidates arriving on J-1, J-2, or F1 + OPT visa status

Work Experience:

• Previous experience in a research or academic setting. Graduate student experience meets this requirement.
• Scientific writing experience

Additional Preferred Qualities:

• Extensive experience in RNA biology, including RNA folding, stability, and delivery mechanisms.
• Familiarity with CRISPR/Cas9 or other gene-editing tools for functional screens.
• Strong track record of independent troubleshooting in a wet lab environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for grant and manuscript preparation.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform work in a stationary position for extended periods
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information
• Ability to distinguish color
• Manual dexterity to handle specimens and repair equipment
• Ability to lift and transport equipment or specimens weighing up to 20 pounds
• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, bio-hazards, radioactive materials, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• PPE per institutional requirements; may vary by laboratory

Preferred Application Materials:

All application materials should be submitted directly via email to Andrew Dhawan at [email protected].

• CV
• Cover Letter (detailing technical expertise in RNA)
• 3 References w/ email and phone numbers

Keywords: Postdoc, Research, RNA Therapeutics, miRNA, circRNA, Molecular Biology, Gene Therapy, RNA, Biotechnology, Cancer Biology, Epigenetics, Glioblastoma, Therapeutics