Open Postdoctoral position, faculty mentor Wei Gu

Posted on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 08:35

Important Info

Faculty Sponsor First name: 
Wei
Faculty Sponsor Last Name: 
Gu
Stanford Departments and Centers: 
Pathology
Postdoc Appointment Term: 
1 year with option for extension
Appointment Start Date: 
start date flexible / rolling
Group or Departmental Website: 
http://cfna.stanford.edu
How to Submit Application Materials: 

Email: weigu@stanford.edu with all of the above materials 

Does this position pay above the required minimum?: 
No. The expected base pay for this position is the Stanford University required minimum for all postdoctoral scholars appointed through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The FY26 minimum is $79, 056.

Our lab recently developed a new methylation profiling technology, FLEXseq (PMID: 39651174), that excels at broad profiling of the cfDNA methylome in plasma and other human body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid. We seek to leverage this technique and broad access to residual clinical specimens to study tumor classification and evolution. Over 500 FLEXseq methylation profiles have been generated to date as a reference starting point. 

We are also interested in early cancer detection at the stage of the minimally invasive biopsy and potential mimickers of early cancers. Adjacent projects in the lab focus on improving cfDNA signal-to-noise ratio and on preanalytical factors specific to residual specimens in laboratory medicine. 

The ideal candidate has the quantitative and computational background to analyze sequencing, high dimensionality data, and be efficient with bash, python, and/or R. Expertise with genome-wide methylation datasets, next-generation sequencing, related molecular techniques, and biostatistics will be helpful. The candidate will have the chance to gain experience within molecular diagnostics, emphasizing ‘liquid biopsy’ cell-free DNA or biopsy DNA biomarkers, and next-generation sequencing wet techniques using liquid handling automation. 

The Gu Lab is a multidisciplinary team that focuses on developing and translating new molecular technologies to advance less invasive and early diagnostics. We are using our methylation profiler to convert data from pathology archival samples for our studies. We have been awarded funding by NIH, Burroughs-Wellcome, DoD, and the Stanford Department of Pathology. The lab is in the same building and is closely affiliated with the clinical Molecular Genetic Pathology, where Dr. Gu is a practicing, board-certified Molecular Pathologist. 

Required Qualifications: 
  • Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. degree prior to starting
  • Preference for expertise with next-generation sequencing or epigenetics with exposure to both the wet lab and dry lab.
  • Preference for strong computational/mathematical skills with experience working with large, high dimensionality sequencing datasets, and biostatistics.
  • Preference for fluency in shell, python, and R, and a familiarity with standard software packages related to next-generation sequencing, genomics, and epigenetics.
  • Track record of productive research through first author, peer-reviewed publications.
  • A self-starter, team player, with an eagerness to quickly learn new fields.
Required Application Materials: 
  • 1-page max Cover Letter on your specific interest in this position and the relevant background
  • CV or resume with publication record (3-page max)
  • Links or Pubmed ID to the most crucial publications where you were a primary contributor 

References: 3 references + contact information (will not be contacted without permission)

 

Stanford is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.