Join Our Lab

The Shen Lab is actively expanding and is looking for talented individuals at all levels of training: undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral. If you are motivated to work toward the elimination of cancer, you should consider joining the Shen lab. Inquires can be sent to JShen8@MDAnderson.org.

Postdoctoral Fellow – Computational Biology

The Shen Lab is recruiting a full-time postdoctoral fellow to employ computational methods to identify novel tumor specific vulnerabilities. The successful candidate will be expected to lead an independent research project focused on the discovery of new biomarkers to predict when a tumor will be sensitive to specific cancer therapies or therapeutic combinations and work with a multi-disciplinary team to design experiments that test these computational predictions. This position will leverage publicly available tumor molecular profiling and in vitro functional genomic data, functional genomic data generated by the Shen lab and collaborators, as well as a wealth of clinically annotated tumor molecular profiling data maintained by the Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy at MD Anderson. This work will involve the analysis of multiple data types including but not limited to genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of tumors as well as functional genomic screens of cancer cell lines.

Medical Resident / Fellow

The Shen Lab has opportunities for research in cancer biology for medical residents or fellows looking to complement their clinical skills with wet lab or computational science. In particular, Internal Medicine residents interested in pursuing a fellowship in Hematology & Oncology are encouraged to apply. Pursuing translational cancer biology to improve the treatment colon and appendix cancer, the Shen Lab includes both experimental and computational scientists and has a particular focus on high-throughput screening using CRISPR-Cas9. Potential research projects could include analysis of clinical genomic data and correlation with outcomes, analysis of functional genomic data and/or wet lab experimentation. Prior experience working in either an experimental or computational biology lab is ideal but not necessary for motivated candidates.

Medical Student

The Shen Lab has opportunities for part-time research in cancer biology for motivated medical students interested in pursuing a career in oncology. Pursuing translational cancer biology to improve the treatment of colon and appendix cancer, the Shen Lab includes both experimental and computational scientists and has a particular focus on high-throughput screening using CRISPR-Cas9. Students would work with Prof. Shen and be paired with a project scientist to assist with the execution of a specific project of the students’ choosing. Ideally students will have at least some experience working in either an experimental or computational biology lab, however prior experience is not absolutely required for motivated candidates. Expected time commitment is ~ 10 hours per week.

Undergraduate Student

The Shen Lab has opportunities for part-time research in cancer biology for motivated undergraduate students. Prior lab experience is a bonus but not absolutely required. Potential projects could include either wet lab biology or computational biology if student has prior computational experience. Depending on home institution, project could either be completed for credit or pay. Expected time commitment is ~ 10 hours per week, with potential for full time paid employment during the summer holiday. Honor and recognition in case of success.