Careers

Home Careers
Print

See Yourself at Sanford Research

Join Sanford Research and be a part of a vibrant and growing research community. You’ll work to advance medical research in a collaborative environment with colleagues who are experts in their fields. Sanford Health researchers have the full support of the organization and are provided with the necessary resources and cutting-edge technologies to advance biomedical research.


Faculty

Sanford Research is the research arm of Sanford Health, one of the largest rural integrated healthcare systems in the nation. This makes Sanford Research uniquely structured to facilitate basic, translational, clinical, and population health research across the upper midwest and the entire Sanford Health network.

Faculty have access to state-of-the-art facilities and unique resources. New staff will join a team with a well-established infrastructure in basic, translational, and behavioral sciences research and strong faculty mentorship. Sanford Research has a long history of successful extramural funding and receives substantial NIH funding. Currently, we have three NIH-funded Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) with focuses in pediatric, cancer, and population health research.


Laboratory Facilities & Resources

Sanford Research occupies a large, open, and collaborative space at the Sanford Center in Sioux Falls, SD. All faculty members have access to common areas, shared equipment and core services.


Training & Mentoring

Sanford Research offers extensive opportunities for training and mentorship:

  • Weekly research seminars encompassing all eight research groups
  • Partnerships with USD and SDSU offers opportunities for involvement with graduate education both in the classroom setting and for mentoring and training of graduate students
  • Several annual Scientific Symposia 
  • Professional development seminars covering topics such as ethical conduct in research, grant writing, career development, safety, and compliance
  • Individual mentorship from Senior Faculty and Leadership

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Sanford Research provides a robust career and professional development program for postdoctoral fellows and staff scientists to help them prepare for a variety of scientific careers. In addition to our accomplished faculty mentors and state-of-the-art resources, professional training opportunities include the following:

  • Our Career Path Workshop Series allows postdocs and staff scientists to explore a variety of science careers; topics have included biotech industry, pharmaceutical industry, undergraduate teaching, clinical lab directing, science policy, tech transfer and public health
  • Professional development presentations provide tips and instruction in a variety of topics, including grant writing, oral presentations, networking and preparing for faculty interviews
  • Hands-on workshops and programs enable postdocs and staff scientists to develop and hone professional skills like writing and reviewing grants and giving oral presentations, chalk talks and elevator pitches
  • Opportunities are available to give lectures in graduate courses taught on-site at Sanford Research
  • Postdocs and staff scientists engage in K-12 outreach activities through Sanford PROMISE

The collegial and collaborative research environment at Sanford Research is ideal for postdoctoral training. Trainees also enjoy the social community in Sioux Falls, a small city with an abundance of dining, shopping, sporting events and entertainment.

Individuals interested in being considered for postdoctoral or staff scientist positions at Sanford Research are encouraged to apply for open positions.


Available Positions

Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering - de la Puente Lab

Postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Prof. Pilar de la Puente, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls to study dynamics of dysregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition in cancer. Dr. de la Puente lab’s mission is focused on the engineering of translational and physiologically relevant preclinical cancer models to advance cancer research. (https://delapuentelab.com/). The de la Puente Lab develops translational and physiologically relevant preclinical cancer models as tools to recapitulate tumor behavior ex vivo (“out of the living”) with an emphasis in cellular crosstalk, extracellular matrix remodeling, and spatial gradients.

We focus on elucidating mechanisms driving chemoresistance and immune evasion in cancer and further developing novel treatment strategies to mitigate their occurrence. Our long-term goal is to accelerate and directly translate our significant insights to aid patients suffering from cancer.

Qualifications
Interested candidate is expected to have recently obtained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Biology or similar discipline and be a first author on at least 1-2 publications in Cancer, cell-ECM mechanotransduction, and/or biomedical engineering applications.

The main job duty is to perform research to understand the role of tumor extracellular matrix remodeling in cancer chemoresistance and to identify novel therapeutic targets by using patient-derived 3D cultures (Funding already secured). The translational research project leverages multi-disciplinary approach in cancer biology, bio-orthogonal metabolic labeling, biomedical engineering/tissue engineering, mechanotransduction signaling, OMICs, and high-throughput in vitro patient-derived models to probe complex biological processes and to pursue new therapeutic opportunities for cancer.

Experience in 3D tissue cultures, confocal imaging and/or cancer biology is preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Our laboratory is an inclusive and supportive environment, and we strongly encourage motivated individuals from historically excluded groups in science to apply.

Application
Please submit cover letter, CV, and contact information for 2-3 references combined into one PDF file by e-mail to: pilar.puente@sanfordhealth.org.

Life in Sioux Falls

The city of Sioux Falls is one of the fastest growing areas in the Midwest, with a population of more than 206,000 in the greater Sioux Falls area. The largest city in South Dakota, Sioux Falls balances an excellent quality of life and a strong economy with a safe, clean living environment. The cost of living is competitive with other leading cities in the region, and South Dakota has no state income tax. Powered by innovation and entrepreneurship, the low unemployment rate in Sioux Falls fuels its booming economy. Sioux Falls offers all the amenities of a community twice its size such as fine dining, shopping, arts, sports and nightlife.

South Dakota is known for its world-class hunting and fishing, along with national parks and a wide variety of landscapes to enjoy through its four seasons.

The city’s many features include:

  • Diverse art and entertainment events
  • Expansive restaurant, brewery and winery selections
  • Outdoor parks, golf courses, a new aquatic center, winter ski hill and hiking
  • Vibrant downtown community, conveniently located near Falls Park
  • 26-mile bike loop/trail
  • Denny Sanford PREMIER Center that hosts sports, concerts, professional bull riding, etc.
  • Exemplary academia within the public and private schools and local universities
  • Sanford Sports Complex