The Papagiannakopoulos Lab is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to investigate the genetic, metabolic, and physiological mechanisms that drive lung cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Our laboratory integrates in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), cancer metabolism, tumor immunology, and systems physiology to understand how oncogenic mutations reshape tumor biology and the tumor microenvironment.
The successful candidate will lead innovative projects using in vivo CRISPR screening, mouse cancer models, molecular and cellular approaches, and multi-omics analyses to uncover new mechanisms linking cancer genetics, metabolism, and immune regulation. This position offers the opportunity to develop independent research directions while working within a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment with access to state-of-the-art genomics, metabolomics, and imaging resources.
We are seeking candidates who are intellectually curious, creative, and highly driven, with a strong record of scientific accomplishment. Ideal applicants will have expertise in cancer biology, immunology, metabolism, genetics, or related fields, and experience with mouse models, functional genomics, or advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques. The successful fellow will be expected to lead ambitious projects, contribute to collaborative studies, publish in leading scientific journals, and compete for independent fellowships and career development awards.
This position provides a highly supportive training environment for scientists interested in pursuing independent careers in academia, biotechnology, or translational cancer research, with strong mentorship and opportunities to develop leadership, grant writing, and collaborative research skills.
Who We Are
The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.
Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.
What We Require
- Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related scientific fields.
What We Can Offer
The full postdoctoral salary range for wet lab opportunities is $70,500 to $78,000 (see below). This range covers the entire postdoctoral training period; recent Ph.D. graduates should expect an offer at or close to $70,500 (minimum of the salary range). Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
| Experience Level/Tier | Salk Postdoc Salary |
| 0 | $70,500 |
| 1 | $72,000 |
| 2 | $73,500 |
| 3 | $75,000 |
| 4 | $76,500 |
| 5 | $78,000 |
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.
Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.
Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:
- Any combination of characteristics.
- A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
- A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.