| About the Position: |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Extracellular Vesicles & Breast Cancer
Metastasis
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
Department: Biological Sciences
Principal Investigator: Dr. Nykia Walker
Position Summary
The Walker Lab at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County is seeking a highly
motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team. Our lab investigates the molecular mechanisms by which extracellular vesicles contribute to breast cancer metastasis. We employ genomic, biochemical, and functional approaches to explore tumor-stroma interactions, identify novel therapeutic targets, and test findings in pre-clinical models.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead independent and collaborative projects, work with cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics and liquid biopsy approaches, and contribute to high-impact publications.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and conduct experiments related to extracellular vesicle-mediated tumor-stroma interactions.
- Isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles from cell culture and patient samples.
- Investigate the biochemical composition of EVs, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
- Utilize biochemical assays to assess EV cargo function and interactions.
- Perform in vivo experiments using pre-clinical models of breast cancer (e.g., xenograft or genetically engineered mouse models).
- Conduct animal handling procedures, including tissue collection and imaging-based analyses.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
- Present findings at national and international conferences.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Immunology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
- Strong background in protein, lipid, and nucleic acid analysis in EVs.
- Proficiency in PCR-based techniques (qPCR, RT-PCR) for gene expression analysis.
- Experience with gene editing tools (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9, siRNA/shRNA knockdown).
- Experience with flow cytometry for cell and EV analysis.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Background in breast cancer models and tumor microenvironment research.
- Experience with extracellular vesicle isolation and characterization.
- Experience with bioinformatics approaches for analyzing EV cargo
- Familiarity with spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, or other omics approaches.
Application Instructions
Interested applicants should submit the following materials:
- Cover Letter – detailing research interests and fit for the position.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- One-page summary of your thesis research project.
Interested candidates should upload your application materials here:
Learn more about our lab and research
Follow us on IG (thewalkerlab1) or X (@theWalkerLab1)
Salary Range: $50,000 - $61,000 commensurate with experience
The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
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| About UMBC: |
UMBC, an honors university serving more than 14,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students, is one of two public universities in Maryland to achieve the “doctoral/research university-extensive” Carnegie classification. Located just outside Baltimore and 45 minutes from Washington, DC, the campus is growing rapidly under dynamic leadership.
Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds. The successful candidate will join a department with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence, and will be expected to contribute actively to these efforts (https://diversity.umbc.edu/).
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