Research Fellow

Dr. Xiaonan Han laboratory has been working on the roles of intestinal stem cells (ISC) during inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), infectious gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and colorectal cancer (CRC). His lab reported that the cytokine-JAKs-STAT5 pathway is the key signaling in the regulation of the ISC response to GI inflammation and infection to promote intestinal barrier regeneration (Gilbert S, et al. EMBO Molecular Medicine 2012 and Stem Cell Reports 2015, and Liu R, et al. Life Science Alliance 2019). His current research is focused on employing compound mutant mouse lines, human or murine adult ISC-differentiated organoids and CRSPR/Cas9-edited induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs)-derived human intestinal organoids (HIOs) to explore how gain of niche cell function protects ISCs to improve the epithelial lineage repair during GI infection and inflammation against cancer stem cell transformation. Dr. Han is also trying to address how cytokine pathways regulate the switch between the ISC niche induced by chronic inflammation injuries and the metastatic niche during colon cancer.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Design, execute, and record laboratory experiments; apply standard scientific protocols to experiments, research, and improve current methods and evaluate innovative techniques.

2. Draft, write, and edit scientific reports, papers, journal articles, and abstracts.

3. Design and perform experiments and record data according to research protocol. Independently reproduce, evaluate, research, and improve techniques currently used. Adapt new methods to existing procedures and modify current experiments through scientific knowledge and intuition. Maintain accurate and detailed records of all laboratory work and experiments.

4. Develop, set-up, and verify new procedures in the laboratory. Standardize and establish new published procedures; evaluate innovative techniques. Develop new assays and new protocols, design formats.

5. Discuss relevant insights about experimental results with Faculty and provide useful recommendations and analysis.

6. Maintain an integral role in the laboratory's meetings, presentations, and publications. Present information on research and laboratory work to others at laboratory meetings, journal clubs, and seminars.

7. Troubleshoot and correct erroneous results or problems with laboratory equipment. Maintain and repair equipment; monitor proper use by personnel.

8. Maintain optimal protocol and assay accuracy by conducting regular quality and reproducibility checks.

9. Assist in preparing, writing, and maintaining fiscal budget. Monitor expenditures and prepare capital expenditure requests; track funding, maintain accurate balance, and resolve any discrepancies.

10. Follow policies and procedures governing the handling of confidential information as defined by Case Western Reserve University’s mission and applicable laws and regulations. Ensure timeliness, accuracy, availability, and security of information.

11. Perform routine procedures, including the collection and analysis of research data, which may affect decisions regarding future patient care.

12. Provide services in a manner to be regularly and conveniently available to meet the needs of Case Western Reserve University’s research initiatives as determined by department management and their governing body.

13. Maintain currency in field through continuing education, literature, and seminars. Implement this knowledge into the Department.

14. Recommend approaches for improvement activities, recommend, and perform new processes, collect, and measure data, develop processes based on performance, and communicate results.

15. Understand, adhere to, and model Core Standards as defined organizationally and specifically within the department/unit.

16. Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required: A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.

Preferred: A background in cell and molecular biology, stem cell biology and molecular immunology is preferred.

Interested applicants should submit a CV, a letter of interest and names/contact information of three individuals that can provide academic references upon request to:

Dr. Xiaonan Han: xxh455@case.edu, 12167788968.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, and benefits; NIH funded.