Post Doctoral Scholar

The postdoctoral scholar will play a key role in the planning, design, and execution of mechanistic and translational tumor immunology research within the Song Laboratory. The primary objective of this position is to elucidate how T cell-NK cell interactions, immune regulatory circuits, and cellular state transitions shape responsiveness to cancer immunotherapies. Research efforts will extend to therapeutic modalities including immune checkpoint blockade, cytokine-based immune modulation, and engineered cellular therapies such as CAR-T platforms. The scholar will contribute to the development and refinement of innovative research methodologies and will independently design, optimize, and execute complex immunologic and molecular experiments across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo model systems.

Technical scope includes primary immune cell isolation and manipulation, high-dimensional flow cytometry, multiplex immune profiling, spatial and single-cell transcriptomics, and functional assays to evaluate immune activation, cytotoxicity, and persistence. Additional methods may involve CRISPR-based perturbations, viral vector engineering, and immune cell manufacturing workflows relevant to CAR-based therapies. In vivo responsibilities include murine tumor modeling, immune cell adoptive transfer, and therapeutic efficacy studies.

The postdoctoral scholar is responsible for analyzing and interpreting experimental datasets and will work closely with the principal investigator to prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and research reports for peer-reviewed publication and scientific conferences. They will also participate in the preparation of grant submissions and perform critical evaluations of relevant scientific literature to inform ongoing and future research directions. In addition to advancing their own research projects, the scholar will help train junior lab members, support daily laboratory operations, and ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory standards, including biosafety and animal research guidelines.

Required Education and Experience:

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related biomedical science field is required.
• Demonstrated experience in translational cancer research, particularly in the development and characterization of antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, or cell-based immunotherapies (e.g., CAR-T or CAR-NK).
• Experience in advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blotting, protein purification, and cell-based cytotoxicity assays.
• Hands-on experience with small animal models, including tumor xenograft establishment, dosing techniques (e.g., tail vein, IP, SC injections), and in vivo imaging.
• Experience with laboratory operations, equipment maintenance protocols, and safety compliance in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines (e.g., OSHA).
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data analysis, interpretation, and reporting for scientific publications and grant proposals.
• Prior experience in training or supervising laboratory staff and contributing to collaborative, multidisciplinary research teams.

Application Instructions: Candidates must submit a CV, a brief statement summarizing research interests and experience, and contact information for 3 references with the Workday application.

The OSUCCC James is the only cancer program in the United States that features a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center aligned with a nationally ranked academic medical center and a freestanding cancer hospital on the campus of one of the nations largest public universities. The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) is a comprehensive bench-to-bedside research initiative focused on harnessing the bodys immune system to fight cancer at all levels from prevention to treatment and survivorship.