The Abramson Cancer Center, Basser Center for BRCA, and the Department of Cancer Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seek outstanding applicants for an Assistant Professor position in the tenure track.  Applicants must have an MD or PhD or MD/PhD degree.

Successful candidates are expected to have achieved success in areas broadly related to BRCA-associated cancers and demonstrated high-quality scholarship through publication in peer-reviewed journals and independent research funding.

Basic or translation scientists interested in 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.

Candidates must have a strong commitment to the graduate and education missions of the University of Pennsylvania.

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.

If applicable, clinical responsibilities will be determined by the academic department where the faculty appointment is held.

Research responsibilities may include developing collaborative and independent research programs related to human genetics, co-supervision of postdoctoral fellows, students, and research staff, coordinating NIH-funded grant efforts with local, national, and international collaborators, and participation in writing grants, reports, and manuscripts.

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 (https://www.basser.org).

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 theses 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, 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).

o   Example text:

o   Traditional, 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].

o   Anonymized: “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 contributions to fostering cultural excellence. This document should briefly describe the candidate’s collegiality and collaboration in research, teaching and mentoring of trainees, and inclusion, diversity, and equity activities. The center seeks candidates with a demonstrated track record of, and plans for, advancement of collegiality, service, mentoring, and/or teaching that align with inclusivity as a core value. (2 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.