Assistant Professor in the Basser Center for BRCA in partnership with the Department of Cancer Biology



Location:

Philadelphia, PA

Open Date:

Oct 9, 2024

Close Date:

Oct 9, 2026

Description:

The Department of Cancer Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seeks candidates for an Assistant Professor position in the tenure track. Expertise is required in the specific area of the mechanisms of tumor development and interception of such in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are highly sought. Areas of particular interest include: a) Investigation of the haploinsufficent state and how this leads to cancer, b) tissue tropism related to BRCA1 and BRCA2 (why cancers emerge from breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreas when all cells in affected individuals are heterozygote?) and 3) hormonal influences on DNA repair. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree.

Teaching responsibilities may include focused classroom teaching in an existing area of expertise as well as mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other research trainees. Candidates must have a strong commitment to the educational mission of the University of Pennsylvania.

Research or scholarship responsibilities may include establishment and maintenance of an externally funded, independent research program that leads to impactful publications focused on BRCA-associated cancers. The Basser Center and the Department of Cancer Biology value a supportive, cohesive, service oriented, and collaborative culture. Growth of junior faculty is fostered by providing tailored mentoring and faculty development from appointment through tenure and all major career milestones.

The Basser Center for BRCA was established at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center in 2012 as the first comprehensive center for the research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA-related cancers. More information on the Basser Center for BRCA can be found at www.basser.org.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis, but to ensure full consideration applicants are encouraged to apply by November 1.

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following required documents:

1. Cover letter (Highlight past and proposed research and its synergies with Penn Cancer Biology, Basser Center, and the University, 1 page maximum).

2. Curriculum vitae (Highlight 3 to 5 impactful publications using several sentences to provide context about the specific advances for the field and the candidate's role in these studies).

3. Anonymized statement of significant research contributions and plans for an independent research program. This document should briefly describe past research accomplishments -research questions, an applicant's intellectual contributions, the research findings and significance, and future research plan as well as opportunities for integration and collaboration with Penn Cancer Biology, the Basser Center and the University. The plan can refer to the applicant's experiences and qualifications but should not include the names of any researchers who performed the work, institutions where the work was done, specific publications or journals, or funding organizations (remove names from the header also).

Example text:

oTraditional, non-anonymized: "As a [Named Fellowship] postdoc in Professor X's lab at University of Z, I designed and optimized an assay that can [do something amazing]. I used this to discover [important finding].

oAnonymized: "As a postdoc I designed and optimized a new assay that can [do something amazing]. I used this to discover [important finding].

In the bibliography, citations to the applicant's own work must also be anonymized to remove all journal, publication title, and author names. For example, "Applicant author # of total author # (Year of Publication)." (3 page maximum not including bibliography)

4. Anonymized statement of Teaching, Mentoring, and Community. This statement will focus on contributions and commitment to the advancement of collaborative research, mentoring, teaching, and inclusion in science. We seek candidates with a demonstrated track record of and/or plans for promoting an environment focused on collaborative and inclusive research, and high-quality mentoring and teaching. This document should briefly describe candidate's prior or future actions towards research collaborations, teaching and mentoring of trainees in the lab and classroom, service to the scientific and/or broader community, and improvement of inclusion in science for under resourced and underrepresented individuals. (1 page maximum)

5. Reference Letters (3 minimum)

We seek candidates who embrace and reflect diversity in the broadest sense. The University of Pennsylvania is an EOE. Minorities/women/individuals with disabilities/protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.  Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street,  Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205; or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).