Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Immunotherapy

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

A post-doctoral fellow position is available in the Till Lab, which is focused on developing novel immunotherapies to treat B-cell lymphomas and understanding mechanisms of resistance to those therapies in correlative studies of patient samples from clinical trials. The lab has been primarily focused on chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, but is embarking on a new project to develop a novel targeted oncolytic viral therapy.

Responsibilities The fellow will be responsible for developing and executing a project related to current and future interests of the lab. This project involves developing a targeted oncolytic virus for the treatment of lymphoma. Studies will be conducted in vitro and in mouse models of lymphoma to test and optimize several properties of the recombinant virus, including the target antigen specificity, susceptibility to neutralizing antibodies, delivery of adjuvant proteins, biodistribution, direct lytic activity, and ability to elicit endogenous anti-tumor immune responses.

This research offers the opportunity to develop and optimize a new treatment for lymphoma with the eventual goal of clinical translation.

Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in immunology, virology, molecular/cell biology, or related field
• A track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications and strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Excellent knowledge of fundamental immunology and molecular and cell biology, as well as proficiency in essential techniques used to characterize human and murine immune cells

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of molecular cloning and viral vector design, generation of high-titer virus from packaging cell lines, viral plaque assays and virus titration
• Knowledge of virology, including how manipulations to the viral genome impact virulence and function
• Knowledge of tumor immunology, including formation of immune responses against tumor neoantigens and mechanisms of tumor immune escape
• Experience working with tumor models in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice, including breeding of and genotyping genetically engineered mice; intravenous, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal injections; necropsy including lymph node harvesting; and bioluminescence imaging
• Experience with immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence
• Experience with single cell transcriptomics assays and bioinformatics analysis
• Proficiency in scientific writing, figure preparation, and giving presentations

Candidates must be highly motivated, organized individuals who have the ability to work both independently but also enjoy working as part of a dynamic, collaborative team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. 

Please include a cover letter detailing your research interest and suitability for this position and names and contact information of at least two references with your application.

This is a full-time position with a salary based on the NIH scale and excellent benefits.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must, prior to their first day of employment:
Provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 ; OR
Initiate the accommodations process to request a religious or medical accommodation (medical accommodations require a healthcare provider’s certification).

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

The annual base salary range for this position is from $65,484.00 to $100,000.00 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.  

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).