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Postdoctoral Associate (Bornhorst Lab)

Lurie Children's Hospital · Chicago, IL · $46,280–$75,670 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a manuscript you wrote. What was your role?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead writing, since manuscript writing is part of the job.

Have you helped write a grant or fellowship application?

What they are checking: Whether they can contribute to funding, which the posting expects.

How do you train a new technician or student on a technique like genotyping?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach clearly and check that skills are learned correctly.

How do you help with the daily running of a lab, like ordering and keeping records?

What they are checking: Whether they are willing to share lab management duties.

What are your career goals, and how does this postdoc fit them?

What they are checking: Whether they have a clear plan and see this lab's work as a meaningful step.

What would you do

Your treated mice don't show the effect everyone expected. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot honestly and treat negative results as data rather than forcing a story.

About the work

Tell me about your experience with mouse models, including breeding, genotyping, oral gavage and IP injections.

What they are checking: Whether they have the hands-on animal skills the lab needs from day one.

How would you design a study to test whether a drug slows tumor growth in a mouse model of nerve sheath tumors?

What they are checking: Whether they think about controls, sample size, randomization, blinding and endpoints.

What do you know about the biology of brain tumors or peripheral nerve sheath tumors?

What they are checking: Whether they have relevant knowledge or can show how they would quickly learn it.

How do you keep animal work compliant with IACUC protocols?

What they are checking: Whether they understand regulatory and humane endpoints in animal research.

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The full job description

As published by Lurie Children's Hospital.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. Location Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center Job Description We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to work on projects related to central and peripheral nervous system tumors (brain tumors and peripheral nerve sheath tumors). The candidate will be primarily responsible for performing experiments studying the effect of different drug interventions on tumor growth in a mouse model. An ideal candidate would have mouse handling experience, including breeding, genotyping, collection of samples/data from mouse experiments, oral gavage, and IP injections. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to participate in the general management and daily operation of the lab, manuscript writing, grant writing, training of technicians and students. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • Ph. D. or MD in Medical or Biological Science Program. • Knowledge in Computer programs, word, excel and power point presentations. • Excellent writing and communication skills. • Organizational skills: Ability to establish priorities and react promptly to a large variety of requests and needs, sometimes in stressful situations. Job Duties: • Provide researchers as requested with technical assistance. • Performs job functions adhering to principals of innovation, academic excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality research effort to our Institution, co-workers and others. • Genetic studies, molecular biology Redcap/ Imaging software, gene chip arrays and others. • Analyzing data. • Preparing data for presentations, grants and publications. • Help write grant proposals and progress reports related to research projects. • Participate in regular lab meetings, journal clubs, and research seminars. • Other job functions as assigned. Education PhD: Biology Pay Range $46,280.00-$75,670.40 Salary At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits. Benefit Statement For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes: Medical, dental and vision insurance Employer paid group term life and disability Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account Flexible Spending Accounts Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave 403(b) with a 5% employer match Various voluntary benefits: • Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability • Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage • Tuition assistance • Student loan servicing and support • Adoption benefits • Backup Childcare and Eldercare • Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members • Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities • Discount purchasing program There’s a Place for You with Us At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care. Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org AI Notice Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals. It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes. For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org

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