A Research Assistant position is available for a skilled and highly motivated Research Scientist in the Laboratory of Dr. Xiaoyan Zheng in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and the George Washington University Cancer Center at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Our primary research interest is in identifying target genes regulated by the Hh signal and thus to understand the molecular mechanisms employed by the Hh signaling pathway in regulating cell-cell interactions (I). In parallel, we are interested in developing novel reagents and experimental approaches combined with cutting-edge imaging technologies to study the biochemical and cell biological principles governing a critical yet poorly understood step of Hh signal transduction: trafficking of Hh receptors (II). These studies have broad potential significance for our understanding of the molecular basis of both development and human diseases linked to Hh pathway dysfunction, as well as for providing a basis for therapeutic modulation of pathway activity, either positively to stimulate regeneration or negatively to block malignant growth. Our lab is located in the GW Cancer Center in of Washington D.C., on the top floor of the state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Hall, which opened in 2016. The GW Cancer Center brings together cancer research, clinical cancer care, and cancer control/prevention and outreach initiatives. GW has demonstrated a strong commitment to cancer research by recruiting expert researchers in establishing the GW Cancer Center to grow and diversify cancer research locally. The training and education of the next generation of cancer researchers is one of the GW Cancer Center's top priorities. This research support position contributes to research/development by assisting with experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. The core responsibilities of this position include assisting with data collection and administration of experimental procedures, and assisting with administrative aspects of preparing manuscripts for publication. This position may perform some lab maintenance duties as a secondary function. This role typically works under immediate supervision, and the primary job functions do not require exercising independent judgment. Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

-Familiarity with cell-cell signaling
-Strong background in molecular and cellular biology
-Demonstrated experience in using Drosophila or mouse as a model system

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