Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Postdoctoral Training Program in Nanotechnology for Cancer Medicine

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Abstract:
The Institute for NanoBioTechnology at Johns Hopkins University invites individuals who have recently earned a PhD or MD to apply for a new T-32 postdoctoral training position in Nanotechnology for Cancer Medicine (NTCM), funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Postdoctoral Training Program in Nanotechnology for Cancer Medicine

Baltimore, MD | Posted on September 8th, 2008

ONLY USA CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS SHOULD APPLY. IF YOU ARE NOT A PERMANENT RESIDENT OR CITIZEN OF THE USA YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM

Synopsis
Postdoctoral fellows in the NTCM program will train across disciplines (including engineering biology and medicine) to lay the foundations for technologies that will enable an inside-view of cancer cell functions, as opposed to the limited "blackbox" input-output techniques currently used.

They will learn to introduce new methods for molecular imaging, develop high-throughput diagnostic tools, and engineer novel drug/antibody/siRNA viral and non-viral delivery systems to treat human cancers.

NTCM fellows will view interactions between nanostructures and biological systems in physical, biological, and biomedical terms and will become adept at emerging concepts in biomolecular engineering, protein engineering, materials synthesis and surface modification.
In addition, NTCM fellows also will develop new ways to diagnose cancer and evaluate individual patient's prognosis so that an optimal treatment regime can be developed. The patient's genetic and epi-genetic markers and disease phenotype and therapeutics also will form the basis of optimized patient care.
Resources
NTCM fellows take advantage of research and clinical resources at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, the National Cancer Institute-designated Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Center, and the In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Center, as well as the unique educational resources and experimental facilities available through the Institute for NanoBioTechnology at Johns Hopkins.
Training
Each fellow will be supported for two years and will be co-advised by a faculty member in oncology or medicine and a faculty member in engineering. (Please refer to the table of participating faculty). Fellows will take a core lecture course in either nanotechnology or cancer biology, a core laboratory course in nanobiotechnology for cancer medicine, and will attend a weekly journal club. In addition, fellows will participate in an annual retreat in the fall and the annual NanoBio Symposium in the spring. After two 6-week rotations in the laboratories of participant faculty, fellows will embark on co-advised research in nanotechnology of cancer medicine.

Eligibility and How To Apply Only USA citizens and permanent residents are eligible. Non USA citizens should NOT apply.

The requirements for admission include a PhD in an engineering discipline or biological/oncology discipline or an MD degree. A concentration in cancer is helpful. Admission to the NTCM program is based on academic credentials determined by: (1) our judgment of research potential based on publications; and (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate research potential through prolonged contact with the applicant, either as a mentor during a research elective or as an employer.

Interviews are scheduled only after receipt of all required materials. The selection committee will target 1-2 fellows with a background in engineering or physics and 1-2 fellows with a background in cancer research for a total of two fellows every year. The final selection will be done by the program co-directors.

Send your C.V. and two letters of recommendation to: Ashanti Edwards / Prof. Denis Wirtz, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland hall 214, 3400 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21218

The Postdoctoral Training Program in Nanotechnology for Cancer Medicine is under the leadership of co-directors, Denis Wirtz, professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the Whiting School of Engineering, and Kenneth Kinzler, professor of Oncology at the School of Medicine. The program is administrated by the Institute for NanoBioTechnology.