Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Tumor Dormancy and Immune Targeting

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutchs pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nations first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Womens Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

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A laboratory in Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centers Translational Research Program (Public Health Sciences Division) is looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop immunotherapeutic approaches to target disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). The candidate would join the Laboratory for the Study of Metastatic Microenvironments (LSM2), directed by Cyrus Ghajar . The LSM2 focuses on understanding the biology underlying DTC dormancy (see: Carlson et al., Nature Cell Biology 2019; Goddard et al., Nature Cell Biology 2018; Ghajar et al., Nature Cell Biology 2013) and uncovering means to eradicate dormant DTCs. Our overarching goal is to develop therapeutically viable approaches to prevent breast cancer metastasis.

The candidate will spearhead a project with the goals of:

• Determining whether T cell-based immunotherapies can be used to target dormant DTCs
• Identifying potential DTC-specific antigens/neoantigens from patient specimens
• Developing and applying Logic-Gated approaches to target multiple DTC antigens, in combination, and testing on- and off-tumor activities (see: Lajoie et al, Science 2020).

The ideal candidate will be able to take advantage of a resource-rich environment to independently develop a unique and comprehensive research strategy to understand DTC-immune cell interactions, utilizing an array of innovative models and sophisticated techniques we have developed or adopted in the lab. These include organotypic cell culture models, immune-competent murine metastasis models and intravital imaging approaches.

An interest and passion in developing curative approaches for metastasis is required. A strong publication record and eligibility and desire to apply for future fellowships are also required. A Ph.D. in the field of immunology or tumor immunology is strongly desired. The candidate must also be experienced in essential techniques to characterize and profile immune cells and to gauge their function. A candidate with experience in live cell imaging, bioinformatics, and/or experience working in murine tumor or metastasis models is strongly desired.

The successful candidate will contribute positively to our labs environment. They must have excellent communication and organizational skills, the ability to develop creative approaches to experimental design, and thrive both in independent research and while working collaboratively.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.