The Balachandran, Merghoub, and Wolchok laboratories at the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research are looking for highly motivated candidates interested in postdoctoral research in pancreatic cancer immunology. Dr. Balachandran leads anNIH-funded basic/translational research program focused on investigating the fundamental relationships between antigens and T cells in solid tumors, with a particular focus on pancreatic cancer. Our group has specifically focused on human pancreatic cancer, and has used immunologic, genomic, molecular, and computational techniques to identify T cell antigens in rare pancreatic cancer survivors, as a platform for novel biomarker and target discovery, and to uncover principles governing antigen-T cell interactions.
Our laboratory uses sophisticated cancer models in mice and humans, integrating genomic, molecular, and translational techniques to study how the spectrum of cancer antigens modulate T cell phenotype, function, fate, and plasticity in cancer. Postdoctoral applicants will utilize a range of techniques including in vitro and in vivo cell isolation and culture, western blot,PCRand immunohistochemistry. In addition to scientific work, postdoctoral fellows will participate in lab meetings, conferences, and courses, to further develop the fundamentals of literature review, data analysis, hypothesis generation, grant writing, and oral presentation. Close mentorship from the primary lab head and several leaders in the field of tumor immunology, immunotherapy, and pancreatic cancer biology is routine.
The research environment atMSKCCin our group is exceptionally fertile and particularly suited for cross-disciplinary basic and translational research. In addition to the Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Zuckerman Research Building houses all the major basic and translational laboratories of the Sloan Kettering Institute including the entire Immunology, Cancer Biology and Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Computational Biology Programs, with whom we routinely collaborate and interact. It also houses several research centers whose primary focus is investigating the genomics and immunobiology of cancer. These include the Center for Cell Engineering and Cell therapy, the Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, a center dedicated to cancer genomics. This proximity of several world-class institutes, investigators, leaders in the study of cancer and their laboratories, fosters an environment of intense scientific innovation and discovery by facilitating collaborations among scientists with diverse expertise in cancer research.
Minimum two-year commitment is mandatory. PhD in immunology, or a related scientific discipline is required. Proficiency with cellular immunology, particularly flow cytometry, molecular biology, DNA, RNA, and protein assays is required. Please send CV, bibliography, brief statement of research interests and names of 3 referencesto se put #TheVinodLabPostdoc in the subject line of your reply.
For more information, please visit the lab webpage