Job Description
The Surgery Branch at the National Cancer Institute functions as a multidisciplinary research group with the goal of developing novel immunotherapies and immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer. The Surgery Branch was responsible for the development of multiple immunotherapy advances over the years, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), the first effective immunotherapy in humans, and the development of cellular immunotherapies (TIL, TCR, and CAR) against solid cancers and hematologic malignancies.
The current position is for a postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. Sri Krishna within the Surgery Branch. The main focus of the group is to utilize the branch’s rich repository of samples including human tumors, patient-derived neoantigen T cells, and associated samples, to ask questions in human immunology and tumor immunology, with the ability of applying basic discoveries for rapid translation in our ongoing cell therapy clinical trials.
Research projects range from experimental immunology, computational biology, to basic T cell biology, tumor evolution, immune resistance by metastatic human tumors, epigenetics, clinical immunology, and gene engineering of T cells. The successful candidate will have the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research projects aimed at advancing cancer immunotherapies and understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying T cell-mediated responses against human cancers.
Keywords: Cell Therapy, TCR Therapy, TIL Therapy, Tumor Biology, Immune Resistance, Computational Biology, Tumor Evolution
Qualifications and Job Details
Required and Preferred Skills
- A recent (or within a few months of obtaining) Ph.D. in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Computational Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
- Strong background and expertise in either immunology, T cell biology, cancer research.
- Computational biologists are also encouraged to apply.
Candidates demonstrating a strong publication record with experience and interest in experimental immunology (flow cytometry, immune assays, cell culture, scRNA), T cell immunology (human or mouse models), CRISPR gene-engineering of immune cells, high-dimensional single cell analyses, T cell exhaustion, stemness and T cell receptor engineering will be given preference.
For tumor biology candidates, expertise, and interest in establishing gene engineering of patient-derived tumor models, studying human tumor evolution, genomic aspects of metastases and invasion will be given preference.
For computational biology candidates, expertise, and interest in high dimensional genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses, NGS analyses, model building, machine learning based prediction models will be given preference.
About the NCI Center for Cancer Research
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) is home to nearly 250 basic and clinical research groups located on two campuses just outside of Washington, D.C. CCR is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and makes up the largest component of the research effort at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Centrally supported by long-term funding and a culture of complete intellectual freedom, CCR scientists are able to pursue the most important and challenging problems in cancer research. We collaborate with academic and commercial partners and advocacy groups across the world in efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and HIV/AIDS. The CCR research portfolio covers the full spectrum of biological and biomedical research. Our work ranges from basic to translational and clinical, and our clinical trials are conducted in the NIH Clinical Center, the world’s largest hospital dedicated to clinical research that offers a robust infrastructure to support CCR’s patients on an estimated 250 open studies. The success of CCR is grounded in an exceptionally strong discovery research program that provides the foundation for the seamless translation of insights from bench to bedside. Read more about CCR, the benefits of working at CCR and hear from our staff on their CCR experiences.
Bethesda
Bethesda is one of the most highly educated communities in the United States and has a nationally renowned school system. The city is a thriving suburban center close to Washington, D.C., and home to many restaurants, retailers and a flourishing arts and entertainment district.
The position is available beginning in August 2023. Stipends are commensurate with education and experience. The National Cancer Institute and the Surgery Branch are equal opportunity employers and encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. Women and underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Please contact Sri Krishna at sri.krishna@nih.gov and include a cover letter that outlines your research experiences, and a curriculum vitae (CV), along with three listed references.